Al/Ni metal intermetallic composite produced by accumulative roll bonding and reaction annealing

In this research, Al/Ni multilayers composites were produced by accumulative roll bonding and then annealed at different temperatures and durations. The structure and mechanical properties of the fabricated metal intermetallic composites (MICs) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to evaluate the structure and composition of the composite. The Al3Ni intermetallic phase is formed in the Al/Ni interface of the samples annealed at 300 and 400 °C. When the temperature increased to 500 °C, the Al3Ni2 phase was formed in the composite structure and grew, while the Al3Ni and Al phases were simultaneously dissociated. At these conditions, the strength of MIC reached the highest content and was enhanced by increasing time. At 600 °C, the AlNi phase was formed and the mechanical properties of MIC were intensively degraded due to the formation of structural porosities.

► Al/Ni metallic composites produced by accumulative roll bonding were heat treated at different temperatures and periods, to investigate the effect of reaction annealing on the structure and mechanical properties.
► Based on the annealing conditions, various intermetallic phases were formed. The structure and composition of the composites were detected by SEM and XRD techniques.
► The strength of the initial metallic composite can be improved due to the formation of the hard intermetallic phases, by the heat treatment process.