Conventional Aluminum Powder Metallurgy Alloys

Abstract

P/M technology can be used to refine microstructures compared with those made by conventional ingot metallurgy (I/M), which often results in improved mechanical and corrosion properties. Microstructural refinement by P/M is made possible by two broad high-strength P/M technologiesãrapid solidification (RS) and mechanical attrition (mechanical alloying/dispersion strengthening). The advantages of P/M stem from the ability of small particles to be processed. This enables: The realization of RS rates The uniform introduction of strengthening features, that is, barriers to dislocation motion, from the powder surfaces The powder processes of rapid solidification and mechanical attrition lead to microstructural grain refinement and, in general, better mechanical properties of the alloy. In addition, RS can extend the alloying limits in aluminum by enhancing super-saturation and thereby enabling greater precipitation hardening without the harmful segregation effects from overalloyed I/M alloys. Four 6061 occurrences.