In-situ Al2O3-Al interface contribution towards the strength-ductility synergy of Al-CuO composite fabricated by solid-state reactive sintering

Probing the interface is of great importance for tailoring the mechanical performance of Al matrix composites (AMCs) to achieve strength-ductility synergy. This work contributes an in-depth understanding of the in-situ Al2O3-Al interfaces integrating the Al2O3-intermixing region-Al interface structure and interfacial segregation/precipitation in Al-7 wt.% CuO (Al-7CuO) composite fabricated by solid-state reactive sintering. It was elucidated that the Al2O3-Al intermixing region would enhance the cohesion and plastic stability of the Al2O3-Al interface. Meanwhile, Cu segregation and CuAl2 precipitation turn to suppress dislocation nucleation/motion and increase the interfacial slippage resistance of the Al2O3-Al interface. Further characterization of the fracture morphology suggests that the robust in-situ Al2O3-Al interface exerts prominent contribution to the remarkable mechanical properties of Al-7CuO composite through effective load-transfer and changed crack propagation path. (C) 2021 Acta MaterialiaInc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

"The study found that the intermixing region between Al2O3 and Al enhances the cohesion and plastic stability of the interface, while Cu segregation and CuAl2 precipitation suppress dislocation nucleation/motion and increase the interfacial slippage resistance."