Mechanical properties of Aluminum-Copper(p) composite metallic materials

Composite metallic materials (CMMs) are prepared by dispersing copper particulates in aluminum matrix using stir-cast technique. Their behavioris compared with the alloy having similar composition. The effect of particulate composition is studied by varying the copper concentration between5 and 15 wt%. Hardness increased with increasing particulate contents in both cast and homogenized conditions. Composites show a 13% drop instrength and 15% drop in strain compared to the alloy. With increasing reinforcement content, the strength increased and dropped. Agglomerationdue to increased reinforcement contents may be the reason for the decrease in strength values. Microstructures corroborate the above results.