  Manufacturing of aluminum alloy based casting composite materials via stir
casting is one of the prominent and economical route for development and
processing of metal matrix composites materials. Properties of these materials
depend upon many processing parameters and selection of matrix and
reinforcements. Literature reveals that most of the researchers are using 2, 6
and 7xxx aluminum matrix reinforced with SiC particles for high strength
properties whereas, insufficient information is available on reinforcement of
"Al2O3" particles in 7xxx aluminum matrix. The 7xxx series aluminum matrix
usually contains Cu-Zn-Mg. Therefore, the present research was conducted to
investigate the effect of elemental metal such as Cu-Zn-Mg in aluminum matrix
on mechanical properties of stir casting of aluminum composite materials
reinforced with alpha "Al2O3" particles using simple foundry melting alloying
and casting route. The age hardening treatments were also applied to study the
aging response of the aluminum matrix on strength, ductility and hardness. The
experimental results indicate that aluminum matrix cast composite can be
manufactured via conventional foundry method giving very good responses to the
strength and ductility up to 10% "Al2O3" particles reinforced in aluminum
matrix.
