A review on fabrication of hybrid AA7075 aluminum-based matrix composites (HAMCS) using powder metallurgy for aerospace applications

Abstract

AA7075-based matrix composites have garnered significant interest across various sectors due to their potential to develop new materials with excellent characteristics, particularly for aerospace applications. This review comprehensively examines the fabrication of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) and hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites (HAMCs), with a focus on the advantages offered by powder metallurgy techniques. It investigates the influence of various reinforcing particles, compaction pressures, dies types, sintering processes, and heat treatments on the physical, mechanical, and wear properties of AA7075 AMCs and HAMCs. This study explores the extensive use of powder metallurgy in the aerospace sector, focusing on the challenges, future developments, and application of AA7075 AMCs and HAMCs. Based on an extensive review of the literature, our findings indicate that the composite material AA7075/6%B₄C/3%ZrC HAMCs prepared using spark plasma sintering via the powder metallurgy route, exhibited superior properties compared to AA7075 without reinforcement. Notably, the composite demonstrated a remarkable compression strength of 712 MPa, tensile strength of 605 MPa, hardness of 139 Vickers hardness (HV), ductility of 14.23%, and porosity of 1.202%. These exceptional properties underscore the immense potential of AA7075 HAMCs for aerospace sector applications.