Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Zr–Al–Ni–Cu Metallic Glassy Particles Reinforced 7056 Al Alloy Matrix Composites Obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering.

New 7056 aluminum alloy matrix composites reinforced with Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 metallic glassy particles are successfully fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) combined with gas‐atomization method. The highly dense bulk body is obtained by utilizing the viscous flow behavior of the glassy powder within the supercooled liquid region. The addition of amorphous reinforcing phase significantly increases the yield strength of Al alloys in compression from 322 to 455 MPa, with retaining a fracture strain ranging between 26% and 16%. It is confirmed that the mutual diffusion of elements takes place between Al alloy matrix and glassy reinforcement during SPS process. The imposed stress and temperature by SPS affect the mutual diffusion and elemental distribution at interface. The increased mechanical response is ascribed to the uniform distribution of the glassy particles and good interfacial bonding. The mechanical properties of such composites can be accurately described by the iso‐stress model involving the matrix‐strengthening mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]