Effect of Heating Method on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Zircon Reinforced Aluminum Composites

The mechanical properties and microstructure of aluminum matrix composites containing of zircon (10, 15 and 20 wt.%) as a reinforcement particles and cobalt additive (1, 1.5 and 2 wt.%) were investigated. The aluminum matrix composites were prepared by powder metallurgy technique and sintered in both conventional and microwave furnaces at temperatures higher than the melting point of aluminum. The results revealed that the density and mechanical strength of aluminum were increased by introducing zircon and cobalt particles. The maximum strength was obtained by adding 10 wt.% zircon sintered in microwave furnace at 950 degrees C. The phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy of sintered composites were examined and found some interesting data about intermetallic compounds.