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Original Article

Synthesis, characterisation and mechanical properties of SiC reinforced Al based nanocomposites processed by MA and SPS

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Pages 149-157 | Received 18 May 2012, Accepted 24 Jun 2012, Published online: 12 Nov 2013
 

Abstract

Al based alloys reinforced with different amounts (5, 12 and 20 wt-%) of nanosized SiC particulates were synthesised by mechanical alloying and consolidated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The distribution of the reinforcement phase in the composite was evaluated as a function of the milling time and the amount of SiC. The processed materials were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy for the morphology and composition and X-ray diffraction. Continuous reduction in crystallite size was observed as milling progressed and after milling for 20 h the resulting powders reached a grain size of <100 nm. These Al–SiC composites were successfully consolidated by the SPS method at different sintering temperatures of 400, 450 and 500°C. It is suggested that a higher hardness can be achieved even at 20 wt-%SiC when a higher sintering temperature, for example, above 500°C, is used.

The authors wish to express their gratitude to the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) for financial support provided under project no. NT-04-2008.

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