Fabrication and characterization of Al-Cu alloys and Cu metal matrix composite using stir-casting technique

摘要

The effects of an Al-5-wt% Cu alloy, an Al-10-wt% Cu alloy (hypoeutectic alloy), and an innovative composite combination of an Al-5-wt% Cu alloy as the matrix and a 5-wt% Cu powder as the reinforcement have been investigated. The metal matrix composite was prepared and fabricated by using a stir-casting method by dispersing the Cu powder (average particle size of 105 μm) in the molten base Al-5-wt% Cu alloy. The results are compared with the alloys and composite for deformation, strength, density, porosity, and hardness properties of age-hardened (T6) samples. The composite exhibits better properties than the alloys and enhanced aging kinetics. For justification of the dispersion of the Cu powder as the reinforcement in the Al-5-wt% Cu alloy, the microstructure of the matrix was also analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.