Effect of Metal Matrix Alloying on Mechanical Strength of Diamond Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Composites

Diamond particle-reinforced Al matrix (Al/diamond) composites were produced by a gas pressure infiltration method, where 0.5-4.0 wt.% Ti was added to Al matrix. An interfacial TiC layer of about 2 μm thickness was formed between Al and diamond at 4.0 wt.% Ti addition. The mechanical properties of the Al/diamond composites were enhanced by both the formation of interfacial layer and the strengthening of the matrix. The mechanical strength increased with increasing alloying Ti content, and a tensile strength of 153 MPa was obtained at 4.0 wt.% Ti addition. The tensile flow stress of the composites was found to be in broad agreement with the prediction of the Mori-Tanaka model. The effect of interfacial layer on mechanical properties provides guideline for the production of mechanically reliable Al/diamond composites.