Fabrication and investigation on the properties of ilmenite (FeTiO3)-based Al composite by accumulative roll bonding

In the present study, the aluminum (Al) 1050–FeTiO3 composite was fabricated through accumulative roll bonding process, and the resultant mechanical properties were evaluated at different deformation cycles at ambient temperature. The effect of the addition of FeTiO3 particle on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the composite during accumulative roll bonding was investigated. The Al–2, 4, and 8 vol.% FeTiO3 composites were produced by accumulative roll bonding at room temperature. The results showed improvement in the dispersions of the particles with the increase in the number of the rolling cycles. In order to study the mechanical properties, tensile and hardness tests were applied. It was observed that hardness and tensile strength improve with increasing accumulative roll bonding cycles. The microhardness and tensile strength of the final composites are significantly improved as compared to those of original raw material Al 1050 and increase with increasing volume fraction of FeTiO3, reaching a maximum of ∼75 HV and ∼169 MPa for Al–8 vol.% FeTiO3 at seventh cycle, respectively.