Due to their high specific strength, aluminium-based metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with ceramics are an attractive proposition for applications in the transport sector. High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) is a costeffective manufacturing route for the mass production of aluminium castings exhibiting complex near-net-shape geometries. Through the application of high pressure and high cooling rates, improved distribution of the reinforcing particles compared to other casting methods can be attained. This is a result of the increased filling capacity of the composite melt and the resultant finer grain structure. In this study, an AlSi9Cu3 (LM24) commercial alloy was reinforced with SiC nanoparticles. The reinforcement was introduced using novel Al-nanoSiC alloys and processed using stir mixing, ultrasonic processing and HPDC technologies to achieve enhanced mechanical properties. The results showed the good distribution of the loose SiC agglomerates, demonstrating a nearly 40% reduction in the Al grain size, from ~23.7µm to ~14.8 µm, and indicating a ~15MPa and ~18MPa increment in the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), due to a combined effect of the grain refinement, CTE strengthening and Orowan strengthening.
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