In situ fabrication and microstructure of Al2O3 particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Al2O3p/Al composites were prepared by direct melt reaction process. The thermodynamics of in situ chemical reactions between molten aluminum and CeO2 powder was studied. The XRD results show that the components of the as-prepared composites consist of Al2O3 and Al phases. For the as-cast composite specimens, SEM, EDX, TEM and SAD were used to analyze the reinforcement phases and interface characters of composites. The results show that the in situ generated Al2O3 particles, whose sizes are 100–200 nm, have various irregular shapes and disperse uniformly in matrix. TEM observation shows that the interface between particle and matrix is clean. Furthermore, there is no fixed orientation relationship between Al2O3 particles and aluminum matrix. Only [ 1 2 ¯ 10 ] / / [ 111 ] orientation parallel relationship with low exponent is found. Therefore, the composites have isotropic properties. Besides characters mentioned above, there are large amount of high density dislocations and the generated extensive fine subgrains around Al2O3 particles. These features are favorable for improving composite performances. As a result, the composites are comprehensively strengthened not only by Al2O3 particles, but also by the high density dislocations and fine subgrains.