Mechanical and tribological properties of aluminium matrix composites after ageing treatments

A study is made on a particulate-reinforced metal matrix composite, based on an aluminium alloy dispersed with graphite particles, in different conditions of heat treatments (solutionizing followed by artificial ageing). Both the composite and the base alloy are produced by casting, and are also heat treated, in the same conditions. Their mechanical properties are evaluated by hardness measurements and tensile tests, together with the evaluation of the wear resistance, for each sample. The mechanical and tribological properties of the composite, in treated and untreated state, are compared with those of the base alloy. The study suggests that the heat treatment has potential to produce a desired combination of microstructure and properties in aluminium graphitic composites by varying the treatment parameters (temperature and duration).