Abstract:A novel two step mixing method including injection of particles into the melt by inert gas and stirring was used to prepare aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with Al₂O₃ particles. Different mass fractions of micro alumina particles were injected into the melt under stirring speed of 300 r/min. Then the samples were extruded with ratios of 1.77 or 1.56. The microstructure observation showed that application of the injection and extrusion processes led to a uniform distribution of particles in the matrix. The density measurements showed that the porosity in the composites increased with increasing the mass fraction of Al₂O₃ and stirring speed and decreased by extrusion process. Hardness, yield and ultimate tensile strengths of the extruded composites increased with increasing the particle mass fraction to 7%, while for the composites without extrusion they increased with particle mass fraction to 5%.

Key words: Al/Al₂O₃ composite; stir-casting; extrusion; microstructure; mechanical properties