Production of TiC reinforced-aluminum composites with the addition of elemental carbon

TiC reinforced Al matrix composites were produced by the additions of elemental carbon to both Al + 4%Ti and Al + 5%Ti alloys. It is shown that the microstructure, phase composition as well as fracture behavior of the composites produced are controlled by the processing parameters, such as temperature, amount of excess carbon and duration. Composite microstructure subjected to 1300 °C for 15 min includes only TiC particles where the fracture occurs in a ductile manner whilst composites subjected to 1200 °C for 30 min contain Al3Ti and TiC particles which show mixed mode of fracture behavior where Al3Ti particles resulted in brittle fracture due to their coarser size.