High cycle fatigue behavior of a nanostructured composite produced via extrusion of amorphous Al89Gd7Ni3Fe1 alloy powders

A nanostructured composite Al89Gd7Ni3Fe1 alloy was created by extruding atomized amorphous Al89Gd7Ni3Fe1 powders at different extrusion ratios (ER = 5:1, 10:1, 20:1). The microstructures and mechanical properties produced were examined with special attention given to the high cycle fatigue properties. High cycle fatigue tests were conducted at room temperature under three-point bending at a stress ratio R = 0.1. Increasing the extrusion ratio (ER) improved the hardness, bend strength, and fatigue behavior, with alloys extruded at higher ER exhibiting bend strengths exceeding 1000 MPa and high cycle fatigue behavior well in excess of conventional aluminum alloys. The results obtained are compared to conventional aluminum alloys and particulate reinforced composites.