Microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminium matrix composites reinforced by Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 melt spun ribbon

Aluminium matrix composites containing 15, 30 and 50vol.% of pulverized Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 (in at.%) melt spun ribbons have been prepared by a vacuum hot pressing (T=673K, P=600MPa). The microstructure of the initial ribbon and the composites was investigated using X-ray, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the as-spun ribbon the quasicrystalline icosahedral phase (i-phase) coexisted with the cubic copper rich β-Al(Cu, Fe) intermetallic compound. The phase composition of Al-Cu-Fe particles changed after consolidation process and the i-phase transformed partially to the ω-Al70Cu20Fe10 phase. Additionally, the Θ-Al2Cu phase formed at the α(Al)/Al-Cu-Fe particle interfaces. With an increase in volume fraction of the reinforcement the hardness of the composites increased up to HV=180 for the highest amount of added particles. The ultimate compression strength of the same sample reached the value of 545MPa.