Computerized Image Processing for Evaluation of Microstructure in Metallic Matrix Composites

Fabrication of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with ceramic particles via powder metallurgy techniques present considerable advantages, especially large flexibility of reinforcement volume content. However since metal particles are considerably larger than ceramic reinforcement, ceramic clustering become more and more frequent as the reinforcement proportion increases, and high ratio plastic deformations are mandatory. An experimental program has been developed to determine particle redistribution of ceramic reinforcement by mean of large-ratio extrusion of aluminum composites, containing up to 20% vol. of reinforcement. Evaluation of particle redistribution by extrusion has been determined using a computer-based technique of image analysis for resulting optical micrographies.The image processing has included particle detection, particle measurement and classification.