Abstract:An aluminum-based in-situ composites reinforced with Mg₂Si and Si particles were produced by centrifugal casting Al-20Si-5Mg alloy. The microstructure of the composites was examined, and the effects of temperature on fracture behavior of the composite were investigated. The results show that the average fraction of primary Si and Mg₂Si particles in the composites is as high as 38%, and ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) of the composites first increase then decrease with the increase of test temperature. Microstructures of broken specimens show that both the particle fracture and the interface debonding affect the fracture behavior of the composites, and the interface debonding becomes the dominant fracture mechanism with increasing test temperature. Comparative results indicate that rich particles in the composites and excellent interface strength play great roles in enhancing tensile property by preventing the movement of dislocations.

Key words: aluminum based in-situ composites; fracture behavior; centrifugal casting; high temperature