Synthesis of Al-Al3Ti In Situ Metal Matrix Composites by Salt Route and Evaluation of their Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Current work, aims at preparation and characterization of Al-Al3Ti in-situ metal matrix composites with varying percentage of in-situ Al3Ti (3 and 5%) reinforcement. The composites were prepared by the salt route involving reaction of commercial purity aluminum (99.7%) and potassium titanium flourate halide (K2TiF6) salt at a reaction temperature of 800°C and with 60min. holding time. The prepared composites were subjected to microstructural studies using Scanning Electron Microscope. Further, the work aims at evaluating mechanical properties of the prepared composites as per ASTM standards. Microstructural characterization using SEM revealed blocky morphology of Al3Ti intermetallics with fairly homogeneous distribution. Insitu Al-Al3Ti composites have shown better mechanical properties when compared to the unreinforced Al matrix.