Fabrication and characteristics of in situ Al12W particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites by reaction sintering

A novel in situ Al12W particles reinforced aluminum matrix composite was synthesized by reaction sintering of tungsten and aluminum powders and followed by hot extrusion. The microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The tensile tests of composite and pure aluminum materials were measured. The XRD analysis identifies that the in situ Al12W particles are formed by the reaction between tungsten and aluminum powders. Meanwhile, SEM observation shows that the Al12W particles are distributed uniformly in the Al matrix, and TEM observation shows that the interfacial condition of Al12W particles and Al is good. It is found from the tensile tests that the in situ synthesized Al12W particles can significantly enhance the strength of the composite in spite of decreasing elongation. The fracture morphology analysis reveals that the fracture mode of composite is ductile fracture.