Study of the Specifics of Liquid-Phase Oxidation of Aluminum Melt to Obtain an Aluminum Matrix Composite

The paper describes theoretical studies and presents the results of practical experiments related to the production of aluminum matrix composites by internal oxidation. According to the proposed technology, the formation of aluminum oxide occurs directly inside the aluminum melt, which enables a one-step process for producing a composite material and also ensures the economic efficiency of the process. The theoretical part discusses the basic provisions of the model of internal liquid-phase oxidation of molten aluminum with oxygen to produce alpha-Al2O3. The practical part provides the results of mechanical tests as well as sample microstructure, which confirm the theoretical assumptions. The possibility of achieving various levels of melt saturation as well as a wide range of various strengthening phase sizes has been shown. The porosity of the resulting material was analyzed. A comparative cost analysis of the alloys produced by adding Al2O3 powder and by utilizing internal oxidation of molten aluminum was performed.