Fabrication of Al-based hybrid composites reinforced with SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles by squeeze casting

Hybrid preforms containing SiC whiskers and nanoscale SiC particles were made by wet blending. The Al-based hybrid composites, with 20 vol.% SiC whiskers and 0, 2, 5, 7 vol.% SiC nanoparticles, were fabricated by squeeze casting route. The optimum squeezing casting parameters, especially infiltration pressure for fabricating the (SiCw·SiCp)/Al hybrid composites were obtained from the infiltration tests. The reinforcements distribute homogeneously in the matrix of the as cast composites, and the strength of the composites is found to increase with increasing content of the nanoparticles.