Synthesis and oxidation behavior of Al4SiC4 – Al – Si composites

Abstract

Abstract Al4SiC4 – Al – Si composites were synthesized using a mixture of calcined bauxite, silicon carbide and carbon black as the starting materials. Al4SiC4 began to form at >1 600 °C and Al and Si were identified at 1 800 °C. Al and Si formed only when silicon carbide was in excess of the amount of SiC necessary to form Al4SiC4. The synthesized powders consisted of irregular plate-like crystals and the surfaces were molten-like. The oxidation characteristics of Al4SiC4 – Al – Si composites as antioxidants were better than the oxidation characteristics of pure Al4SiC4, since their action took place mainly at 400 – 700 °C (Al – Si) and above 850 °C (Al4SiC4).