SiC-reinforced aluminium composite made by resistance sintering of mechanically alloyed powders

Abstract

Abstract Fine SiC particulates of 0.3 μm mean size were successfully incorporated into an aluminium matrix by mechanical alloying. The mechanically alloyed composite powders of Al-30vol.%SiC were sintered in an ambient atmosphere to nearly full density within 1 s using resistance sintering, in which the powders were heated by a low voltage and high amperage current and compressed simultaneously. The as-sintered Al-30vol.%SiC composites showed excellent compressive properties: 500–700 MPa yield stress, 600–800 MPa ultimate strength, and 3%–5% fracture strain. The composites made from mechanically alloyed AlSiC powders exhibit good thermal stability even after heating at 873 K for 120 h.