An Investigation of Microstructural Evolution, Tensile Properties and Work-Hardening Behavior of Nanosized TiB2/Al-Cu-Mn Composites

Abstract

The microstructure evolution, tensile properties and work-hardening behavior of AA2219 alloy reinforced by in situ nanosized TiB2 particles were studied in this paper. The observation indicated an impeded recrystallization of the matrix alloy by nanosized TiB2 particles, and the hybrids of nanosized TiB2 particles and Al2Cu phases located at the grain boundary hindered the grain growth. Meanwhile, a large amount fiber textures of <111>//RD (Rolling direction), <110>//RD, <100>//RD <111>//ND (Normal direction), <110>//ND and <100>//ND were detected in nanosized TiB2/AA2219 composite. Tensile test results exhibited a combination of good strength and ductility of the present composite whose yield strength and tensile strength were 11.4% and 5.8% higher than those of the alloy, while its fracture strain increased slightly. Meanwhile, the correlation between this modified microstructure of nanosized TiB2 particles and comprehensive mechanical properties was established. This study provides a new insight into the fabrication and strengthening behaviors of Al matrix composites reinforced by in situ nanoparticles.