Ti3SiC2 Reinforced ZA27 Alloy Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

This work reports the fabrication and mechanical properties of Ti3SiC2 reinforced Zn-27 wt. % Al alloy (denoted as ZA27). A total of 10-40 vol. % Ti3SiC2 reinforced ZA27 alloy composites were synthesized by hot pressing mechanically alloyed mixtures of Ti3SiC2 and ZA27 powders. Among the fabricated composites, 20 vol. % Ti3SiC2/ZA27 composite possesses the highest room temperature tensile strength, bending strength and Vickers hardness of 339 MPa, 593 MPa, and 1.13 GPa, respectively. The improved mechanical properties of the 20 vol. % Ti3SiC2/ZA27 composite are mainly attributed to the effects of fine-grain strengthening and dispersion strengthening.