Electromagnetic Methods for Production of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMC) are perspective materials for a wide range of applications in automotive, aerospace and other industries where material mechanical properties and weight ratio is crucial. In AMC manufacturing through metallurgical process the main obstacle for particle introduction into the melt is poor particle wettability and their tendency to form agglomerates due to van der Waals and interfacial forces. Most of currently used AMC manufacturing methods through metallurgical route are effective only for small quantities or are time consuming, even though metallurgical AMC production route would promise significant cost savings. In this study we propose a permanent magnet stirring technology developed by IP UL as tool for alternative realization of stir- and compo-casting methods for AMC production. First results of contactless stirred semi-solid aluminium alloys show effective alloy stirring in melt volume and intense surface deformations that can break the oxide layer and stir in the reinforcement material from the melt surface.