Fabrication and mechanical properties of Al-based metal matrix composites reinforced with Mg65Cu20Zn5Y10 metallic glass particles

In this work, Al-based composites reinforced with Mg-based metallic glass particles are synthesized by uniaxial hot pressing and their mechanical properties are analyzed. The composite powders were consolidated into highly dense bulk specimens at temperatures within the super-cooled liquid region of the metallic glass reinforcement. The uniform distribution of the glassy particles and the good reinforcement-matrix interface lead to a significant strength enhancement with respect to the unreinforced matrix along with good plastic deformation. The relationship between the mechanical properties and the structure is investigated and described by a modified shear lag model incorporating the matrix-strengthening mechanism. The calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results, revealing that the dislocation strengthening in the matrix due to the presence of the metallic glass particles plays a major role in determining the mechanical properties of the composites.