Fabrication of SiC and SiC/ Aluminum-Silicon Composites from Rattan Charcoal

Bio-structured carbon was obtained by carbonization of rattan in Ar. Then, the charcoal was reacted with Si at 1500 °C to form SiC. It was also reacted with Si and 2024 aluminum alloy at 1400°C for various times to form composites. The results showed that the SiC was beta phase and had the structure of rattan. SiC whiskers were also found on the inner surfaces of the pore channels (vessels) of rattan structure. The bulk density of the porous SiC was 1.5 g/cm3 and its open porosity was 44%. On the other hand, the charcoal embedded in Si powder and 2024 alloy was converted into SiC/aluminum-silicon composite after heat treatment. The charcoal was reacted to form SiC first. Then, Al-Si alloy infiltrated into the pores of the porous SiC to form composites. When the alloy composition was Al-20 at% Si, the composite obtained after 5 hours of reaction had bulk density of 2.3 g/cm3, open porosity of 19%, compressive strength of 316 MPa and bending strength of 138 MPa.