Abstract
A 2024 aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with potassium titanate fibers having a crystallite size of 76 nm was fabricated by squeeze casting. The effect of heat treatment and the bending strength were examined for the composites with Si contents of 0.15 wt% and 1.00 wt%, respectively. The differences of the hardness and Mg and Cu contents between interior and exterior of the specimen were found for the composite with the Si content of 0.15 wt%. On the other hand, the hardness and contents of the alloying elements mentioned above of the composite with the Si content of 1.00 wt% were uniform at all locations. The potassium hexatitanate fibers/2024 base alloy composite with solution treatment at 555°C for 4 hours and aging at 205°C for 16 hours showed the highest hardness and bending strength values.
