ELECTROFORMING OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE - DISPERSOID GRAIN-SIZE DEPENDENCE OF THERMOSTRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

Ni-Al2O3 metal matrix composites have been elaborated by electroforming in a Watts' bath. We show that the enclosed particle ratio depends on the particle bath concentration, current density and hydrodynamic conditions. We point out the hardening effect of submicronic particles on the metal matrix which does not, however, increase too much the composite's fragility. Despite the grain growth inhibition and the matrix-particle composite effects, the hardening after annealing at 800-degrees-C is somewhat decreased.