Wear properties of Al/TiO2 composites fabricated via combined compo-casting and APB process

Abstract Compo-casting method is one of the popular techniques to produce metal-based matrix composites. But one of the main challenges in this process is un-uniform spreading of reinforced subdivisions (particles) inside the metallic matrix and the lack of desirable mechanical properties of the final produced composites due to the low bonding strength among the metal matrix and reinforcement particles. To remove these difficulties and to promote the mechanical properties of these kind of composites, the accumulative press bonding (WAPB) technique as a supplementary technique to heighten the mechanical and microstructural evolution of the casted Al/TiO2 composite bars was utilized as a novelty in this study. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of these composites have been compared with various WAPB steps using tensile test, average Vickers micro hardness test, wear test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM results revealed that during the higher APB steps, big titanium dioxide (TiO2) clusters are broken and the TiO2 particles are distributed uniformly. It was shown that cumulating the forming steps improved the mechanical properties of the composites. In general, combined compo-casting and APB process would consent making Al/TiO2 composites with high consistency and good microstructural and mechanical properties.