Influence of SiC Particle Content on the Microstructural Evolution and Compressive Strength of an Al-Cu-Mg/SiC Composites Fabricated by Mechanical Alloying

In this study, an aluminum-copper-magnesium matrix composite with the chemical composition Al-۴%Cu-۱%Mg, reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles at three different weight percent (۲%, ۴%, and ۶%), was fabricated and microstructure and compressive strength of the samples were investigated. The primary production method was mechanical alloying using a planetary ball mill, conducted in an inert argon atmosphere for ۱۵ hours. Following the milling process, the composite powder was poured into a graphite-coated molds and subjected to compaction. The samples were subsequently sintered at ۵۰۰ °C. thesamples then experienced an age-hardening heat treatment process, which involved solution treatment at ۵۰۰ °C, rapid quenching in water, and finally, artificial aging at ۱۷۰ °C followed by air cooling. Analysis techniques included X-ray diffraction (XRD) for identifying the phases and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the distribution of reinforcing particles and the fracture surface morphology. The results indicated that the addition of SiC particles up to ۴ wt. % improved inter-particle bonding, reduced agglomerations and porosity, and resulted in a more uniform surface. The compressive strength of the composite increased with the SiC content, which is attributed to the high intrinsic strength of the SiC particles compared to the composite matrix. The optimal value of SiC particles for the formation of aluminum-copper intermetallic phases and the attainment of desirable mechanical properties was determined to be ۴%. These findings demonstrate that ۴ wt.% SiC is the optimal reinforcement content for promoting the formation of aluminum-copper intermetallic phases and enhancing the mechanical properties of the composite

کلیدواژه ها:

Aluminum-Copper-Magnesium Matrix Composite ، Silicon Carbide ، Mechanical Alloying ، Age Hardening ، Compressive Strength