Microstructure and surface degradation of Al reinforced by AlxW intermetallic compounds via different fabrication routes

In the present effort, Al-AlxW composites have been prepared by vacuum arc melting (VAM), conventional casting (CAST) and free sintering (PM) with the objective to determine an effective fabrication route in terms of low cost, ease of manufacture and property boosting. The produced Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) contain several types of in-situ aluminides. Their morphology, stoichiometry and distribution strongly depend on the fabrication route. The particulate aluminide reinforcements have a beneficial effect on the wear response of the monolithic matrix. VAM-AMCs show the highest resistance to wear. A wear mechanism is proposed.