Advantage of Al-Mg2Si metal matrix composite (MMC) is due to the particulate reinforced Mg2Si in the Al matrix that has improved mechanical properties of the in situ composite. In particular, the composite has been chosen as the structural material for automotive and aerospace components. The hypereutectic Al-Mg2Si composite should be comprised of two morphologies, namely primary Mg2Si and pseudo-eutectic Al-Mg2Si phase. However, as-received commercial Al-20Mg2Si-2Cu in situ composite contained a wide range of elements that affect the resultant microstructure of the in situ composite. In fact, four different morphologies have been identified in the in situ composites. The first phase is dark facet primary Mg2Si particles, surrounded by pseudo-eutectic Al-Mg2Si phase in lamellar structure. Along the eutectic boundary is the formation of needle-like Al5FeSi intermetallic and the phase is surrounded by Al5Mg8Si6Cu2+Al2Cu as last phase nucleated. Optical micrograph, SEM imaging, EDX analysis and elemental mapping have revealed these phases correspond to shape of morphologies and respective molecular compound.
Mechanical characterization of aluminum LM25 based metal matrix composite made with conventional process
