Aluminum matrix compositesreinforced by AlN nanoparticles of the SHS-AZ brand

Method of azide self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS-Az), using sodium azide (NaN3) as a nitriding reagent, was used for obtaining the nanopowder of aluminum nitride (AlN) from precursor - sodium hexafluoroaluminate (Na3AlF6). The product of burning the mixture of Na3AlF6 + 3NaN3 consisted of micro- and nanoparticles of AlN (65 %), as well as any salt Na3AlF6 (35 %). This SHS-Az product was used to produce of composite aluminum alloy AlCu5 + 1%AlN. Input of aluminum nitride powder was carried out in the solid-liquid melt of the AlCu5 alloy containing 5 % Cu. The microstructure of the obtained cast composite aluminum alloy withthe calculated composition of AlCu5+1%AlN showed that the reinforcing particles of AlN of different sizes, including nanoparticles, are distributed mainly along the grain boundaries of the aluminum alloy.