Effect of preheating temperature on thickness and interfacial microstructure of Aluminum-Copper bimetallic composite produced by vertical centrifugal casting

Application of composites of two or more metals has been increased, aiming to increase productivity, in various sectors of industry in recent years. In this work an Al/Cu bimetallic composite was prepared by casting Al melt into a Cu bush with 40 mm height and 79 and 84 inner and outer diameters, rotating at 1480 revolutions per minute (rpm), and 100, 150, 200, 300, and 400°C preheating temperature, respectively in a vertical centrifugal casting machine. Cooling rate increment, due to lower preheating temperature, not only lead to interface thinning but also it can modify microstructure. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that four discrete layers have been formed from the Cu side, including AlCu2, AlCu, Al2Cu continuous layers, Al2Cu precipitates scattering in anomalous eutectic structures and finally α-Al/Al3Cu anomalous eutectic structure near the Al side. Micro hardness measurements showed that hardness of various presented phases decreases from outward to the inward.