Preparation and characterization of bronze/SiCp composites produced via current activated sintering method

Abstract

In this study, bronze matrix was reinforced with nickel coated nano SiC particles using mechanical alloying and then subsequent rapid current sintering technique. Mechanical ball milling of bronze matrix composite powders were performed with 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0vol% SiC nanoparticle reinforcements. The composite powders were cold compacted under constant pressure of 150MPa. The compacted structures were sintered at atmospheric conditions almost to the full density within 10min using current sintering, in which the powders were heated by a low voltage and high amperage current and compressed simultaneously to achieve dispersion of nano SiC particles. The samples were sintered at 900A current to eliminate porosities and agglomeration of particles. The porosity of the produced samples were reduced from 9.49% to 6.13% respectively for the uncoated and coated 5.0vol% SiC reinforced nanocomposites. Microhardness testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the microstructural characterization of the composites. Rapid sintering was also thought to be an advantage to eliminate volume increment seen under conventional atmospheric sintering conditions.