In this work, the potential of finely powderedaluminum dross by-product with an average particle size of 67#mu#m as a cost effective, reinforcement in discontinuouslyreinforced aluminum matrix composites (A356) was demonstrated.Using a standard rheocasting procedure, samples of compositematerial were obtained consisting of 20 vol. percent of oneas-received and three laboratory processed grades of drossparticles with which differed mainly in particle size and thelevel of impurities. Inspection of the tensile properties of thesedifferent composite materials showed that a slight improvementin strength over the unreinforced matrix is achievable only bythe introduction of fine dross particles with a particle size lessthan JO mm, while in composites with larger dross particles nostrengthening effect observed. In contrast, evaluation of thewear properties demonstrated that the introduction of coarse andeven as-received dross particles in an aluminum matrix resultsin a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the composite material.
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