Reactively Synthesized Nanostructured PM Aluminium Composite - Microstructure Stability and Elevated Temperature Hardness Response

Abstract

Reactive synthesis by mechanical alloying and subsequent hot consolidation is an appropriate way to produce an Al-Al 3 Ti-Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite from readily available and inexpensive aluminium powder and nanosized TiO 2 . This processing route provides a fine grained and thermally stable microstructure with a controllable amount of dispersoids. The respective material shows a high hardness at room and elevated temperature and does not suffer from softening during long-term annealing at 250°C. It is therefore considered to be a promising light-weight material for elevated temperature applications.