Development of High-Performance SiCp/Al-Si Composites by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Abstract

Relatively low compactness and unsatisfactory uniformity of reinforced particles severely restrict the performance and widespread industry applications of the powder metallurgy (PM) metal matrix composites (MMCs). Here, we developed a combined processing route of PM and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) to enhance the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the SiCp/Al-Si composite. The results indicate that ECAP significantly refined the matrix grains, eliminated pores and promoted the uniformity of the reinforcement particles. After 8p-ECAP, the SiCp/Al-Si composite consisted of ultrafine Al matrix grains (600 nm) modified by uniformly-dispersed Si and SiCp particles, and the composite relative density approached 100%. The hardness and wear resistance of the 8p-ECAP SiCp/Al-Si composite were markedly improved compared to the PM composite. More ECAP passes continued a trend of improvement for the wear resistance and hardness. Moreover, while abrasion and delamination dominated the wear of PM composites, less severe adhesive wear and fatigue mechanisms played more important roles in the wear of PM-ECAP composites. This study demonstrates a new approach to designing wear-resistant Al-MMCs and is readily applicable to other Al-MMCs.