Reinforcement particle size is very important for the performance of metal ceramic composites. This work studied the influence of B ₄ C particle size on the mechanical properties of Al matrix layered composites. These composites were fabricated using a simplified semicontinuous casting and hot-rolling process. To obtain an optimized filling structure of particles, Horsfield filling principle was applied to determine the size and mass fraction of B ₄ C particles. Four sizes of B ₄ C particles were used with various combinations. The results showed that with the increase of the B ₄ C particle size and fine B ₄ C mass fraction, the hardness of the composites decreases whereas the impact strength and ultimate tensile strength increase. The residual stress at interface should be responsible for the variation in properties. Besides, the interparticle distance also contributes to the change in impact strength and ultimate tensile strength.

The solid-liquid method was used to prepare the continuous casting of copper cladding aluminium by liquid aluminum alloy and solid copper, and the interfacial phase formation of Al-Cu bimetal at different pouring temperatures (700, 750, 800 °C) was investigated by means of metallograph, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) methods. The results showed that the pouring temperature of aluminum melt had an important influence on the element diffusion of Cu from the solid Cu to Al alloy melt and the reactions between Al and Cu, as well as the morphology of the Al-Cu interface. When the pouring temperature was 800 °C, there were abundant Al-Cu intermetallic compounds (IMCs) near the interface. However, a lower pouring temperature (700 °C) resulted in the formation of cavities which was detrimental to the bonding and mechanical properties. Under the conditions in this study, the good metallurgical bonding of Al-Cu was achieved at a pouring temperature of 750 °C.