The mechanical properties of Al-TiC metal matrix composites fabricated by a flux-casting technique

Metal matrix composites have been made by the addition of 10 μm diameter TiC particles to molten aluminium by a proprietary process. The resultant reinforcement distribution in commercial purity Al and 2xxx alloy matrices is reasonably homogeneous and extensive grain refinement is observed. The elastic modulus increases per volume percent of reinforcement added, are greater for Al-TiC composites than they are for commercial Al-Al2O3 and Al-SiC, powder or liquid-route manufactured composites. The high modulus increases, for a reinforcement with a relatively low modulus compared to SiC and Al2O3 and close agreement with Tsai-Halpin stiffness-model predictions, are attributed to efficient load transfer in this system due to strong interfacial bonding encouraged by the nucleation of solid Al on the TiC particle surfaces.