mechanical properties of hot-pressed al-4.5 wt. % cu/wc composite

in this study, the elemental powders of aluminum and copper were initially subjected to mechanical alloying using an attrition ball mill under argon atmosphere to produce an al-4.5 wt% cu powder alloy. the wc nanoparticles were then added to the powder alloy and milled in a planetary ball mill to explore the role of the wc nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the fabricated composite powder. the experimental results revealed that a solid solution of al-cu could be formed after ma and a good dispersion of the wc nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix was obtained as characterized using x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. the results of hardness and compression tests of the hot pressed composites indicated that the ma followed by the hot-press processes was successful to fabricate an alloy and a metal matrix composite with considerable mechanical properties. however, a decreasing trend in the hardness and strength of the composites with the wc contents of more than 5wt% was observed. the maximum values of 260 hv and 575 mpa were obtained for a composite containing 5 wt% of nano ceramic particles.