Abstract
Al-10%Si-1.5%Cu-0.5%Mn-0.5%Mg alloy composites reinforced with Al2O3-SiO2 fiber were fabricated by the squeezing casting technique. The characteristics of these materials were investigated by the microstructure observation with TEM, hardness test, wearing test and compression test. The matrix alloy showed significant age-hardening at 488 and 623K up to the peak hardness, and subsequently the hardness markedly decreased with aging time. On the other hand, the composite material with 20vol% fiber showed almost no significant age-hardening, and its hardness only decreased slightly as the aging time increased. Compared to the matrix alloy, the composite material with 20vol% fiber exhibited excellent wearing resistance at temperatures such as R. T. , 473 and 673K. At 673K, adhesive wear occurred in the matrix alloy. The compression test results at high temperatures indicated that the composite material with 20vol% fiber had two times higher proof stress than the matrix alloy. Additionally, the composite material with 20vol% fiber had more improved mechanical properties than that with 5vol% fiber.
