Mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with sintered ferrous compacts

The current investigation involves fabrication and characterization of squeeze-cast aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with sintered metal compacts. Four types of metallic powder compacts were used: plain carbon steel, 409 stainless steel, A6 tool steel, and a wear-resistant stainless steel. All the composites were cast under the same nominal conditions, but only the plain carbon steel-reinforced composites contained a significant amount of reaction phase. When tested in tension, the composites exhibited very limited ductility, with the exception of the 409 stainless steel-reinforced composites. The higher ductility demonstrated by these composites is attributed to the high relative density of the reinforcing compact and the low amount of reaction phase formed. When tested in compression, the 0.2% offset yield strength of the composites were observed to correlate directly with the microhardness measured on the reinforcement particles within the composite.