In the recent years Al-Fe-Cr-Nb quascristalline alloys counting with a microstructure composed of quasicrystals of a nanometric size embedded in an a-Al matrix were developed [1]. These alloys generally produced by melt spinning showed high strength at elevated temperatures in comparison with commercial Al based alloys [2]. Nanoquasicrystalline alloys have become promising new high strength materials to be applied at elevated temperatures in the automotive and aeronautical industries due to the increased stability of the quasicrystalline phase delaying the microstructural transformation to higher temperatures.

In the present work a range of nanocomposites counting with a quasicrystalline alloy matrix with different types of additions acting as reinforcements or plasticizers, have been developed by powder atomisation and extrusion. The microstructure of the atomised powders and extruded nanocomposite bars was characterised by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX and DSC. The relationship between the mechanical properties and the microstructure is being analysed. Tensile and compression tests have been carried out at room temperature and elevated temperature. In addition, dynamic compression tests were used to characterise the composites.

 [1] F. Audebert, F. Prima, M. Galano, M. Tomut, P. Warren, I.C. Stone and B. Cantor; Materials Transactions JIM, 43-8, (2002) 2017.

[2] M. Galano, F. Audebert, I. C. Stone and B. Cantor; Phil. Mag. Letter, 88 (2008), 269.