Microstructures and properties of A356-10%SiC particle composite castings at different solidification pressures

A356-based metal matrix composites with 10% SiC particles of 10 μm were fabricated by stir casting and direct squeeze casting process under applied pressures of 0.1 (gravity), 25, 50 and 75 MPa. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-cast and T6 heat-treated castings were investigated. The results show that as the applied pressures increase, the casting defects as particle-porosity clusters reduce and the incorporation between the particles and matrix can be improved. The tensile strength, hardness, and coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) increase with the increase of the pressures. Compared with the as-cast composite castings, the tensile strength and hardness of the heat-treated casting are improved whereas CTEs tend to decrease in T6-treated condition. For the gravity cast composites, there are some particle-porosity clusters on the fracture surface, and the clusters are hardly detected on the fracture surface of the samples solidified at the external pressures. Different fracture behaviors are found between the composites solidified at the gravity and imposed pressures.