Composite materials based on AlMg1SiCu aluminium alloy reinforced with halloysite particles

Purpose: The present work describes microstructure and technological, as well as mechanical properties of AlMg1SiCu matrix composite materials reinforced with halloysite particles by powder metallurgy techniques and hot extrusion. Design/methodology/approach: Mechanical milling, compacting and hot extrusion successively are considering as a method for manufacturing metal composite powders with a controlled fine microstructure and enhanced mechanical properties. Findings: A structure of newly developed composite materials reinforced with halloysite nanotubes prove that a mechanical milling process allow to improve the arrangement of reinforcing particles in the matrix material. A homogenous structure with uniformly arranged reinforcing particles can be achieved by employing reinforcement with halloysite nanotubes if short time of milling is maintained thus eliminating an issue of their agglomeration. Strong plastic deformations and fine grain size and the dispersion of halloysite reinforcing particles caused by mechanical milling is substantially reinforcing the composite materials reinforced with halloysite nanotubes as expressed with nearly a threefold increase in the hardness of composite powders as compared to the value of this quantity before milling. Research limitations/implications: Contributes to knowledge about technology, structure and properties of aluminium alloy matrix composite material reinforced with mineral nanoparticles. Practical implications: As the fraction of halloysite nanotubes is growing to 15%, structural changes in the powders of composite materials subjected to mechanical milling are reaching the set condition 3 times faster as compared to the matrix material. Originality/value: It has been confirmed that halloysite nanotubes can be applied as an effective reinforcement in the aluminium matrix composites. Deformation, grain size reduction and dispersion conduce to strengthening of the composite powders.