The paper presents results of compressive strength investigations of EN AC-44200 based aluminum alloy composite materials reinforced

with aluminum oxide particles at ambient and at temperatures of 100, 200 and 250C. They were manufactured by squeeze casting of the

porous preforms made of α-Al2O3 particles with liquid aluminum alloy EN AC-44200. The composite materials were reinforced with

preforms characterized by the porosities of 90, 80, 70 and 60 vol. %, thus the alumina content in the composite materials was 10, 20, 30

and 40 vol.%. The results of the compressive strength of manufactured materials were presented and basing on the microscopic

observations the effect of the volume content of strengthening alumina particles on the cracking mechanisms during compression at

indicated temperatures were shown and discussed. The highest compressive strength of 470 MPa at ambient temperature showed

composite materials strengthened with 40 vol.% of α-Al2O3 particles.

The paper presents the results of research of impact strength of aluminum alloy EN AC-44200 based composite materials reinforced with

alumina particles. The research was carried out applying the materials produced by the pressure infiltration method of ceramic preforms

made of Al2O3 particles of 3-6m with the liquid EN AC-44200 Al alloy. The research was aimed at determining the composite resistance

to dynamic loads, taking into account the volume of reinforcing particles (from 10 to 40% by volume) at an ambient of 23°C and at

elevated temperatures to a maximum of 300°C. The results of this study were referred to the unreinforced matrix EN AC-44200 and to its

hardness and tensile strength. Based on microscopic studies, an analysis and description of crack mechanics of the tested materials were

performed. Structural analysis of a fracture surface, material structures under the crack surfaces of the matrix and cracking of the

reinforcing particles were performed.