Microstructures and mechanical properties of AA6061-SiC composites prepared through spark plasma sintering and hot rolling

In this study, AA6061-SiC composites were synthesized through spark plasma sintering and hot rolling. The microstructures of these composites exhibited excellent SiC particle distribution in the AA6061 matrices, high dislocation density, and ultrafine Al matrix grain. The AA6061-SiC composites strengthened with increasing amounts of SiC particles. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elasticity modulus of the composites were 373 MPa, 414 MPa, and 95 GPa, respectively, when the volume fraction of SiC was 20%. The composites exhibited dislocation, grain boundary, and secondary phase strengthening. The ductility of the composites decreased with increasing amounts of SiC particles, and the fracture mode was ductile.