Bending Strength of Composite Materials with EN AC-44200 Matrix Reinforced with Al₂O₃ Particles

There are presented results of a research on bending strength of aluminum alloy EN AC-44200 based composite materials reinforced with aluminum oxide particles. The composite materials were manufactured by squeeze casting with the liquid EN AC-44200 Al alloy of porous ceramic preforms under pressure of 100 MPa. For reinforcing of the EN AC-44200 matrix alloy, preforms made of Al2O3 particles with porosity 60, 70, 80 and 90% were applied. In relation to unreinforced EN AC-44200 base Al alloy, bending strength of composite materials increased about 10% per each 10 vol.% increase of Al2O3 particles in the matrix. The highest bending strength of over 400 MPa was reached by the materials reinforced with 30 and 40 vol.% of Al2O3 particles. Microscopic observations of fracture surfaces confirm that the particles intensively restrict plastic deformation of the alloy, which contributes to creation of a typically brittle fracture. The particles present on the crack propagation path inhibit development of microcracks initiated during bend tests. Most often, the fracture runs through interfacial matrix-particle boundaries, which is caused by brittle bridges of silica binder, present on these boundaries