Influence of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanicalproperties of metallic glass reinforced Al matrix composite

In the present study, Al matrix composites reinforced with Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) particles havebeen synthesized via powder metallurgy process. Pure aluminum powder particles were blended withFMG particles. Blended powders were then sintered through spark plasma sintering (SPS) at differenttemperatures. The microstructure of samples was investigated via filed emission scanning electronmicroscope (FESEM). X-ray diffraction method was employed to analyze the phase evolution ofsintered samples. Porosity content was determined through Archimedes method and mechanicalproperties of composites were examined using Brinell hardness method. Microstructural investigationsindicated that mean matrix grain sizes were increased significantly by increasing the sinteringtemperature. Also, sintering temperature did not affect the phase characteristics of the sinteredcomposites and no interfacial chemical products detected in the patterns. Also, because the sinteringprocess performed under the first crystallization temperature of the metallic glass reinforcing particles,amorphous structure of them remained unchanged during sintering process. The distribution of metallicglass reinforcing particles was considerably dependent on sintering condition and enhanced at highersintering temperature. Density of the composite was increased by increasing the sintering temperatureto 500 ºC. The composite sintered at 500 ºC through SPS process, exhibited the highest hardness ofabout 37 BHN.

Influence of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanicalproperties of metallic glass reinforced Al matrix composite Keywords:

Al matrix composite , Metallic glasses , Sintering temperature , Microstructure , Mechanicalproperties.