P/M Aluminium Matrix Composites

摘要

Sintered aluminium powder metallurgy composites have a potentially attractive combination of properties, such as high specific stiffness, good wear resistance and low cost. The design of these materials needs to be optimised for the press and sinter route in order that the addition of an inert, non-sintering ceramic reinforcement phase does not retard sintering. Here we examine the tensile and fatigue properties of alloys designed to be sintered. The reinforced material has superior stiffness and fatigue strength. An increase in the volume fraction of the ceramic increases the modulus, decreases the ductility and has no effect on the fatigue strength. These relationships are largely a consequence of the sintered density, although the composition of the matrix also has a significant effect.