Processing and mechanical properties of 2024 aluminum matrix composites containing Tungsten and Tantalum prepared by PM

The 2024 Al composites containing W, Ta were fabricated by powder metallurgy for their potential use as shielding material. W, Ta powders and gas-atomized 2024 Al aluminum powders were mixed by a ball mixer. The mixtures were consolidated by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and then hot-extruded into full-density bars. The extruded bars were heat treated in T6 conditions. The microstructure and its relationship with the mechanical properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the particles of nonuniform size and irregular shape randomly disperse in the 2024 aluminum alloy matrix. The tensile tests show that an increase of tensile strength and decrease of elongation to failure of the heat treated composites compared with the extruded composites.