A flake powder metallurgy approach to Al2O3/Al biomimetic nanolaminated composites with enhanced ductility

A simple and scalable methodology called “flake powder metallurgy” (flake PM) has been developed to fabricate biomimetic Al2O3/Al composites. Nanoflake Al powders with native Al2O3 skins were used as building blocks to rapidly assemble into biomimetic nanolaminated structures via compacting and extrusion, giving rise to strong and ductile composites with tensile strength of 262 MPa and plasticity of 22.9%. Thus, it is evidenced that well-balanced strength and ductility can be achieved in biomimetic metal–matrix composites by flake PM.