Tensile properties of in-situ aluminium-alumina composites

Aluminium-alumina particle composite was fabricated by in-situ method. Alumina particles were produced from reduction of copper and silicon oxides by melting and casting aluminum through a squeeze cast system. Four composite specimens with varying amounts of alumina and different compositions were prepared for tensile tests. Corresponding to each composite specimen, a non-composite alloy with the same chemical composition was also produced under identical conditions for comparison. Tensile tests were carried out at room and higher temperatures. The tensile strength of composites at 300 °C improved significantly as compared to the same alloys without alumina particles.