Effect of consolidation parameters and heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of SiCp/2024 Al composites

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of vacuum hot pressing sintering temperature, sintering time and pressure on the properties of SiCp/2024Al composites. The microstructures and mechanical properties were tested by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a mechanical testing machine. The results indicated that increasing hot pressing temperature decreased the number of pores and increased the density and interfacial bonding strength, and improved the mechanical properties of the composites. The composite fabricated at 580°C exhibited the optimum tensile strength, excessive hot pressing temperature easily produced micro-cracks, and the liquid aluminum extrusion and the reduction of Al