Evolution of the Structure and Properties of Al/Cu/Mg Ternary Composites during Thermomechanical Treatment

The structure and the mechanical and electrical properties of new ternary composites based on Al‒Mg deformable alloy obtained by fluid extrusion are studied. The evolution of structural and phase transformations in dissimilar fibers (Cu, Mg, and Al–Mg alloy) during thermomechanical treatment are studied using the methods of metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and hardness measurements. It is established that the strengthening of the ternary composite results from solid state reactions at the boundaries of the fiber, which lead to the formation of intermetallide phases (AlCu, Al2Cu, Mg2Cu, and MgCu2) and nonequilibrium supersaturated solid solutions of copper in aluminum and magnesium.