One of the impediments to widespread us of aluminum matrix composites has been the difficulties in machining parts at an acceptable cost. Gamma Technology has refined the production of spherical aluminum oxide particles and has incorporated the new particles into aluminum matrix composites. These composites have mechanical and physical properties similar to the SiC or B4C reinforced composites made for the past 20 years by powder metallurgy techniques. This new composite has the ability to be machined with carbide inserts.

This paper will discuss the mechanical properties of several composites containing the spherical alumina particles.  This paper will  describe the wear testing that is being carried out on composites containing the spherical alumina and SiC in order to gain an understanding of the machining of these composites.  The machining tests are conducted in material in the as-extruded as well as the T-6 heat treated condition.