Extrudability of PM 2124/SiCp aluminium matrix composite

Abstract

Aluminium-base matrix composites with ceramic reinforcements combine the high ductility and toughness of aluminium with the high modulus and tensile strength of ceramics. Extruded 2124 Al–Cu– Mg alloy, widely used in the aeronautic industry, increases its Young’s modulus by about, 40% and its proof stress and ultimate tensile strength in the T6 condition by about 15%, when reinforced with ,20 vol % SiC whiskers, whereas the density increases only by about 3% [1]. In comparison with fibres, particle or whisker reinforcement has the advantage, that processing can be conducted by conventional procedures for metals, such as powder metallurgy (PM), with extrusion usually involved inthe final consolidation step.