Choosing the right materials has always been a challenge for engineers. Composite materials offer an alternative in choosing the right material for the successful execution of engineering plans. Aluminum, however, proves to be an excellent choice for a matrix in such composites due to its physical, chemical and fabrication properties.
The purpose of the diploma work was to determine, manufacture and analyze a possible composite material based on aluminum. Two samples with the same design composition (15.5 wt.% Mg2Si) were prepared. In the first sample, magnesium was alloyed into the AlSi12 pre-alloy, and the second sample was made from pure raw materials. Both samples were analyzed by simple thermal analysis and differential scaning calorimetry, and their microstructure was examined using optical and line electron microscopy.
Both samples consist of primary phases Mg2Si and α-Al and eutectic (α-Al + Mg2Si). A suitable composite structure is shown in Sample 2, where the matrix is reinforced with primary Mg2Si particles.
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