Property characteristics of a AlNp/Al composite fabricated by squeeze casting technology

A dense and homogeneous AlNp/Al composite was fabricated by squeeze casting technology, and its mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated. At 50% volume fraction, the bending strength at ambient temperature was 546 MPa, and the fracture modes included ductile failure of aluminum matrix and brittle fracture of AlN particles. Because of the addition of high reinforcement content, the AlNp/Al composite exhibited excellent high-temperature performance and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at 400 °C could reach 154 MPa. The AlNp/Al composite had a thermal conductivity of 130 W/(m K) and a thermal expansion coefficient of 11.2 × 10^-6/°C. The thermal expansion coefficient was closer to the prediction by Kerner's model.