Effect of ECAP consolidation process on the interfacial characteristics of Al-Cu-Ti metallic glass reinforced aluminum matrix composite

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process was used to consolidate the Al₆₅Cu₂₀Ti₁₅ metallic glass (AMG) reinforced Al matrix composite at high temperature. The matrix/reinforcement interfacial microstructure of the consolidated composite was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is demonstrated that the mutual diffusion of elements was occurred between the matrix and glass reinforcement during the consolidation process. The imposed severe plastic strains by the ECAP process affected the mutual diffusion and elemental distribution at the interface. Also, microstructural characterizations confirmed that no reaction products have been formed between the matrix and reinforcement particles. An illustrative model was presented to explain the atomic structure of matrix/reinforcement interface region.