Production of glassy reinforced aluminum matrix composite via semisolid powder forming

In recent years, even though numerous studies were conducted on aluminum metal matrix composites (AMCs), which have found commercial use in various areas. In last decade, semisolid powder processing has attracted increasing interest. Namely, semisolid powder forming develops the thixoforming process by replacing the bulk materials with powders enables mixing of various powders for improved properties and fabrication of locally tailored structures. It can be expected that composite components with uniform distribution of reinforcing particles and low or without voids can be obtained by using this technology. Simultaneously, the process is simplified and thus the cost is lower compared with the powder metallurgy technology. In the present study, the semisolid forming has been proved to be effective in manufacturing glassy reinforced AMC of high quality, microstructural and mechanical properties. The most prior studies are focused on powder metallurgy process (solid state). Subsequently, the use of metallic glass of high crystallization temperatures permits to manufacturing the glassy reinforced AMC of higher processing temperatures. Considering the powder thixoforming benefits, we open a door to another way of glassy reinforced AMC production. Moreover, the 45 wt.% glassy reinforced 520.0 aluminum alloy matrix composite was successfully manufacture via powder thixoforging without altering the glassy nature and with considerable combination of superior strength and ductility.