We investigated the suitability of powder metallurgy as well as die casting for the fabrication of light-weight Al-based composites with quasicrystalline particles embedded in an aluminum matrix. Al-Mn-Ce and Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline powders were synthesized by milling of elemental powder mixtures or arc-melted prealloys using a planetary ball mill. The mixture of the quasicrystalline phase and the Al-matrix phase with an appropriate ratio was realized by an initial aluminum excess or by blending of quasicrystalline powder with pure aluminum. The powders were consolidated by hot extrusion. Bulk samples of Φ3mm diameter and 50mm length were also directly prepared by squeezing the melt into a copper mold. CCRT-compression tests revealed a yield strength of about 400 MPa, an ultimate strength of 565 MPa and a ductility of up to 19 % fracture strain as optimum mechanical properties.
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