Effect of Solution Treatment Process on Hardness of Alumina Reinforced Al-9Zn Composite Produced by Squeeze Casting

Abstract

Characteristics of aluminium matrix composites reinforced by alumina have been developed to improve mechanical properties. One of the determining factors in the development of this material is parameter of solution treatment process. This study discusses the performance of the composite matrix of Al-9Zn-6Mg-3Si reinforced by alumina powder of 5 % volume fraction. Composite are manufactured by squeeze casting process with the pressure of 20 Ton in the metal mould. To improve mechanical properties, the precipitation hardening process is conducted through variation of temperature of solution treatment of 450, 475 and 500 °C and holding time of solution treatment of 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Materials are characterized by hardness testing and microstructure observation. The results showed that the optimum condition of hardness was produced by solution treatment temperature of 500 °C and 90 minutes holding time of 86 HRB

Keywords

• aluminium matrix composite, alumina, squeeze casting, hardness