Processing of Al/SiC/TiB2 Hybrid Nanostructured Composites by Underwater Shock Wave Consolidation

Abstract

Aluminum matrix hybrid nanostructured composites containing 30vol.%TiB2/SiC particles were manufactured by underwater shock consolidation method. Underwater shock consolidation is a one-stage densification process, which involves a very rapid and intense deposition of shock energy on powder particle surfaces. The interfacial microstructure and characterizations of this composite was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the interface is clean and no reaction zone generated along the interface between SiC/TiB2particles and Al matrix. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the development of nanostructures in the Al matrix after shock wave consolidation. Density, hardness and bending strength of the composites compacts were measured. The hybrid composite samples showed better improvement in the bending strength regard to Al-30 vol. %TiB2and also Al-30 vol.%SiC composites.