Mechanical properties of hot-pressed Al-4.5 wt. % Cu/WC composite

In this study, the elemental powders of aluminum and copper were initially subjected to mechanical alloying using an attrition ball mill under argon atmosphere to produce an Al-4.5 wt% Cu powder alloy. The WC nanoparticles were then added to the powder alloy and milled in a planetary ball mill to explore the role of the WC nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the fabricated composite powder. The experimental results revealed that a solid solution of Al-Cu could be formed after MA and a good dispersion of the WC nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix was obtained as characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results of hardness and compression tests of the hot pressed composites indicated that the MA followed by the hot-press processes was successful to fabricate an alloy and a metal matrix composite with considerable mechanical properties. However, a decreasing trend in the hardness and strength of the composites with the WC contents of more than 5wt% was observed. The maximum values of 260 HV and 575 MPa were obtained for a composite containing 5 wt% of nano ceramic particles.