TY - JOUR A1 - Miclosina, Calin-Octavian A1 - Belu-Nica, Remus A1 - Ciubotariu, Costel-Relu A1 - Marginean, Gabriela T1 - Processing and Evaluation of an Aluminum Matrix Composite Material JF - Journal of Composites Science N2 - Abstract This study signifies the development and characterization of a composite material with a metallic matrix of aluminum reinforced with a steel mesh, utilizing centrifugal casting technology. An evaluation was conducted to ascertain the influence of the formulation process and the presence of the insert on the mechanical behavior with regard to tensile strength. The aluminum matrix was obtained from commercial and scrap alloys, elaborated by advanced methods of degassing and chemical modification. Meanwhile, the steel mesh reinforcement was cleaned, copper plated, and preheated to optimize wetting and, consequently, adhesion. The structural characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses (EDX), which highlighted a well-defined interface and uniform copper distribution. The composite was produced by means of horizontal-axis centrifugal casting in a fiberglass mold, followed by cold rolling to obtain flat specimens. A total of eight tensile specimens were examined, with measured ultimate tensile strengths ranging from 78.5 to 119.8 (MPa). A thorough examination of the fractured specimens revealed a brittle fracture mechanism, devoid of substantial plastic deformation. The onset of failures was frequently observed at the interface between the aluminum matrix and the steel mesh. The use of SEM and EDX investigations led to the confirmation of the uniformity of the copper coating and the absence of significant porosity or interfacial defects. A bimodal distribution of tensile strength values was observed, a phenomenon that is likely attributable to variations in mesh positioning and local differences in solidification. A correlation was established between the experimental results and an analytical polynomial model, thereby confirming a reasonable fit. In sum, the present study provides a substantial foundation for the development of metal matrix composites with enhanced performance, specifically designed for challenging structural applications. This method also demonstrates potential for recycling aluminum scrap into high-performance composites with controlled microstructure and mechanical integrity. KW - composite material KW - aluminum matrix KW - steel mesh KW - centrifugal casting KW - tensile testing KW - microstructural characterization Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:1010-opus4-48135 VL - 2025 IS - 9(7), Special Issue Metal Composites, Volume II SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - MDPI ER -