Understanding the evolution of microstructural features in the in-situ intermetallic phase reinforced Al/Al3Ti nanocomposite

In the present study, Al/Al(3)Tinanocomposites were prepared by stir casting technique. The reinforcing intermetallic Al3Ti phases were generated by in-situ reaction between nanosized TiO2 particles and molten Al. Microstructural investigations revealed the presence of plate, needle and nanosized Al3Ti and Al2O3 particles. Morphological evolution of the Al3Ti phase with respect to its content and its effect on the grain size, texture, dislocation density and their type were analysed. At higher vol%, Al3Ti phases acquire plate shaped morphological features which changes to needle shaped at lower vol% of Al3Ti. The overall dislocation density and screw dislocation density in the nanocomposites has been found to increase with increase in vol% of the intermetallic phase. Texture analysis revealed that Brass {011} <211> and P {011} <111> are the dominant texture components in the nanocomposites, which indicate particle stimulated nucleation and recrystallizationof grains. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and/or Peer-review under responsibility of International Conference on Functional Nano-Materials, 2016.