SiC particulate dispersed composites of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy: Property comparison with parent alloy

Composites have been formed by adding 15 wt.% of SiC dispersoids in the size range of 20-40 μm to Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy (corresponding to the 7075 series). The 7075 aluminium alloy and composites have been subjected to heat treatment in an attempt to optimize their properties. The present paper reports the improvement in the hardness, mechanical and sliding wear resistance properties attained as a result of heat treatment and forming composites. An attempt is made in the paper to understand the mechanism responsible for the improved behaviour of the 7075/SiC aluminium composite over the base alloy through microscopic/metallographic analysis.