Preparation of aluminum/silicon carbide metal matrix composites using centrifugal atomization

This paper describes the development of a new technique to produce metal matrix composites (MMCs) by injecting silicon carbide particles into molten aluminum just prior to centrifugal atomization. A centrifugal atomization apparatus has been constructed for this study. Silicon carbide particles are injected during atomization of 6061 aluminum alloy to form metal matrix composite powder. The prepared aluminum/silicon carbide powder contains 18 vol.% of SiC particles and 1.2 vol.% of voids. The particle grain size is almost independent from the particle size.

Aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) reinforced with SiC particles have up to 20% improvement in yield strength, have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and a higher modulus of elasicity and are more wear resistant than the corresponding non-reinforced matrix alloy systems. This paper describes a new technique to produce MMCs by injecting SiC particles into molten aluminum just prior to centrifugal atomizaion.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide