Mechanical and machining properties of X38CrMoV5-1/Al2O3 metal matrix composites and components

Large plates and discs of X38CrMoV5-1/Al2O3 metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced via Ti-activated pressureless melt infiltration. After machining the plates were characterised using non-destructive testing methods (X-ray and ultrasonic C-scans) in order to investigate the quality of infiltration before preparing bars for four-point-bending tests. Subsequently, parts of the plates were used for machining tests, including sawing, welding and spark erosion. Furthermore, MMC discs were prepared for wear tests. The as-infiltrated MMC discs show a low wear rate of 1.6 × 10−10–2.2 × 10−10 m/s, which is 2–3 times better than the hardened steel itself, or 12–17 times better compared to X38CrMoV5-1 in the annealed state. As a first component a wire-drawing die was fabricated and successfully tested for drawing Al alloy AA6082 and steel 16MnCr5.