PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM-MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIAL HARDENED WITH HOLLOW CERAMIC MICROSPHERES

In this paper the results of the investigation of the possibility of strengthening of aluminum alloys with hollow ceramic microspheres and also microspheres modified by pyrolytic chromium coatings, which increase the adhesion between the melt and the microspheres, are presented. Pyrolytic chromium coatings on the microsphere surface were obtained by vapor deposition (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method) using organochromium liquid, OCL, commercial name Barkhos. A number of aluminum-matrix composite materials based on the heat-treated by an “artificial aging” AK12ch alloy and heat-treated by “quenching and artificial aging” AK9ch alloy as well as non-heat-treated A6 alloy filled with ceramic microspheres having diameters of 40–80 μm and 100–200 μm have been obtained.