Al-based metal matrix composites reinforced with nanocrystalline Al-Ti-Ni particles

Al-based metal matrix composites containing different volume fractions of nanocrystalline Al₇₀Ti₂₀Ni₁₀ reinforcing particles have been produced by powder metallurgy and the effect of the volume fraction of reinforcement on the mechanical properties of the composites has been studied. Room temperature compression tests reveal a considerable improvement of the mechanical properties as compared to pure Aluminum. The compressive strength increases from 155 MPa for pure Al to about 200 and 240 MPa for the samples with 20 and 40 vol.% of reinforcement, respectively, while retaining appreciable plastic deformation with a fracture strain ranging between 43 and 28 %.