New phase reinforcement for composite materials

The wide application of metal matrix composites in industry is still facing many difficulties. These difficulties were found in different areas: compatibility, processing, recycling, design and cost. Therefore, this work has tried to cure some of these problems by presenting a new phase of reinforcement. This phase enables us to overcome most of these difficulties, in addition to its remarkable positive mechanical properties. To recognize its behavior in composites, zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) in a new phase form was used as a reinforcement for Al/Si alloy as a matrix. The success of the proposed phase as a reinforcement for materials was assessed by metallographic examinations, wear studies and mechanical property measurements. The experimental results show that the new phase offers a high performance as a reinforcement and can be considered as ideal solution for both metallic and organic matrix composites problems as well.