| Summary: | Vortex casting is one of the simplest methods of producing metal matrix
composites (MMCs). However, this simple method does have some drawbacks,
which reduce the mechanical properties of the produced composites. In this
study, we tried to modify the process of composite production before, during,
and after the casting procedure. Low-cost Al2O3-TiB2 ceramic composite
particles, which produced after combustion synthesis, were used as
reinforcement. These powders, which are thermodynamically stable with molten
aluminum below 900°C, were mixed with aluminum and magnesium powders before
casting using ball milling and the mixed powders were injected into the
molten metal (pure Al). This process was applied to enhance the wettability
of ceramic particles with molten aluminum. After casting, warm equal channel
angular pressing (ECAP) and hot extrusion processes were applied to
investigate their effects on the mechanical properties of the final
composites. It was revealed that both warm ECAP and hot extrusion have a
strong influence on increasing the mechanical properties mainly due to
decreasing the amount of porosities.
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