Thermal properties of Al alloy matrix composites reinforced with MAX type phases

Anna Dmitruk, Krzysztof Naplocha, Agata Strojny-Nędza

Quarterly No. 1, 2018 pages 32-36

DOI:

keywords: MAX phases, SHS synthesis, microwave, porous structure, squeeze casting, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion

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abstract A method was developed for manufacturing Al-Si alloy matrix composites reinforced with MAX phases by squeeze casting pressure infiltration of porous preforms. MAX phases in the Ti-Al-C system were synthesized using self-propagating hightemperature synthesis (SHS) in the microwave assisted mode in order to obtain spatial structures with open porosity consisting of a mixture of Ti₂AlC and Ti₂AlC i Ti₃AlC₂. The manufactured composite together with a reference sample of sole matrix material were subjected to the testing of thermal properties such as: thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and thermal expansion in the temperature range of 50÷500°C, which corresponds to the expected working temperatures of the material. The specific heat and mass change during heating were also established by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained thermal conductivity coefficients for the Al-Si+Ti-Al-C composite were higher than for the sole MAX phases and equalled 27÷29 W/m•K. The thermal expansion values for the composite material were reduced two-fold in comparison with the matrix.