Characterization of a powder metallurgy SiC/Cu–Al composite

SiC particulate-reinforced Al composites were prepared by powder metallurgy (PM) method and conventional atmospheric sintering. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the sintered composites. The effect of temperature on the density, hardness, strength, and microstructure of composites was investigated. Detailed failure behavior was analyzed. It was found that the segregation of SiC appeared at higher temperature. The highest micro-hardness of 80 MPa occurred at 700 °C. The strength tended to increase with the increasing temperature due to the formation of Al2Cu. Both ductile and brittle fracture features were observed.