Powder metallurgy processing and compressive properties of Ti3AlC2/Al composites

Al-matrix material composites are produced from pure Al and 40 vol.% Ti3AlC2 powders using hot isostatic pressing technique. It is demonstrated that the nanocrystallized-Ti3AlC2 agglomerates, uniformly distributed in the Al matrix, form a hard continuous skeleton. The mechanical properties of the composites are evaluated over the temperature range of 20–500 °C by performing compression tests at constant strain rate. The monotonic temperature dependence of the proof stress at 0.2% plastic strain suggests that the same thermally activated mechanism controls the composite plastic deformation over the entire temperature range. The yield stress of the composite, about twice as high as that of the Al matrix in the investigated temperature range proves that Ti3AlC2 particles constitute efficient reinforcement particles for Al matrix. SEM observations indicate that plastic deformation of 40Ti3AlC2/60Al composite takes place in the Al matrix while Ti3AlC2 particle agglomerates undergo substantial fracture.