Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention | 2021
Microstructure, Mechanical Behavior and Tensile Fractography of 90-Micron-Sized Titanium Carbide Particles Reinforced Al2219 Alloy Die Cast Metal Composites
Abstract
In the current investigations, the microstructure, mechanical properties and tensile fractography of Al2219 alloy with 2 and 4\xa0wt.% of 90-micron-sized titanium carbide (TiC) particles reinforced composites were developed. The composites containing 2 and 4\xa0wt.% of TiC particles in the Al2219 alloy were created by melt stir technique. During the preparation of composites, TiC particles were preheated to a temperature of 400\xa0°C, and these preheated particles were dispersed into the Al2219 alloy matrix in two steps to improve the wettability between Al matrix TiC particles. Microstructural examinations on the specimens were carried out by SEM, EDS and XRD. Mechanical properties of 2 to 4\xa0wt.% of micro-TiC particles reinforced Al alloy composites were evaluated as per ASTM standards. Microstructural studies by SEM and EDS confirmed the dissemination and the presence of micro-TiC particles in the Al2219 alloy matrix. The presence of TiC phase in Al matrix was confirmed by the XRD patterns. The hardness, ultimate yield and compression strength of Al2219 alloy enhanced with the incorporation of 2 and 4\xa0wt.% of micro-TiC particles. Further, ductility of Al2219 alloy decreased with the presence of TiC particles. The prepared Al2219 alloy with TiC particles composites was studied for tensile failure analysis using SEM microphotographs to reveal the several mechanisms involved in the tensile fracture.