Vanadium carbide reinforced aluminum matrix composite prepared by conventional, microwave and spark plasma sintering

The effect of sintering method on the structure and mechanical properties of aluminum −10 wt% VC composite was investigated. Aluminum-VC metal matrix composite was prepared successfully by conventional (at 600 °C), microwave (at 600 °C) and spark plasma sintering (at 450 °C). The obtained results indicate that the aluminum −10 wt% VC composite prepared by SPS had the highest relative density (99 ± 0.6 ± %TD), bending strength (295 ± 15 MPa) and microhardness (232 ± 16 Vickers). The XRD investigations showed the decomposition of VC phase and the formation of Al3V intermetallic phase in the microwave-sintered samples. The SEM micrographs and EDS analyses revealed uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in SPS method and the formation of Al3V phase in microwave-sintered sample.