Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are increasingly become attractive materials for advanced applications including aerospace and automotive applications because of their properties can be tailored through the addition of selected reinforcements. On viewing from both scientific and technological aspects, their excellent mechanical properties and relatively low production cost makes them a very viable candidate for a variety of applications. This paper focused on the suitable and common methods used to fabricate the AMCs such as powder metallurgy, stir-casting, squeeze casting and compo-casting method. The advantages and disadvantages of those fabrication methods are discovered through this paper.
Al-Si alloys are the most common aluminium cast products owing to their high resistance to hot cracking and excellence fluidity during the molten state. They play important roles in aerospace, automobile and structural industries where high strength to weigh ratio, superior heat conductivity and good corrosion resistance applications are necessary. Alloying elements such as copper, magnesium, zinc and nickel are added into the Al-Si alloys for further strength enhancement. However, impurities such as iron are often present in Al-Si alloys, forming brittle intermetallic phases and hence reducing the mechanical strength of the alloys. In this paper, previous studies on the effects of alloying elements on physical and mechanical characteristics of Al-Si alloys will be accounted. Moreover, a comprehensive review on the Al-Si alloy casting methods will also be included.
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