In situ WAl12 particle-reinforced Al matrix composites synthesized by combining mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing technology

Highlights: ► In situ WAl12 intermetallic is a novel promising reinforcement. ► WAl12 particles reinforced Al-MMC was fabricated by MA and HP technology. ► By increasing the weight percentage of WAl12, both density and microhardness increased significantly. ► Its tensile strength was up to 487 MPa at room temperature, and up to 248 MPa at 200 °C. - Abstract: In this work, mechanical alloying (MA) and hot-pressed (HP) sintering have been employed to fabricate a series of Al-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with WAl12 particles. In particular, mechanical alloying method was used to fabricate W14Al86 new alloy. WAl12 compound is in situ generated through Al and W14Al86 powder blend in order to enhance the mechanical properties. By X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was found that WAl12 intermetallic particles were in situ formed in the MMC during hot-pressing Al–W14Al86 system. Density measurements using Archimedes' method and microhardness test were carried out for all the samples. By increasing the weight percentage of WAl12, both density and microhardness increased significantly. The tensile strength of samples was up to 487 MPa at room temperature, and up to 248 MPa at 200 °C.