Electroless Deposition of Metal Oxide on SiC Particles Reinforced for Producing Al-Si /SiC Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract:

Metallization techniques based on electroless coating are used to coat SiC particles reinforced to make Al-Si/SiC metal matrix composites. Nitric Acid (HNO₃), aluminum powder and different percentage of magnesium addition were used in solutions as electroless coating medium to coat the surface of SiC particles. Five different percentage of Mg was used from 0.1 to 0.5 wt% in electrolyte solution. Metal oxide coating was characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). It is obtained that metal oxide layer formed on the SiC surface was MgAl₂O₄ or spinel which was analysed by XRD and confirmed by EDS. Spinel (MgAl₂O₄) layer was found at all composition of Mg, and such layer improved wettability between SiC and Al-Si. It also is found that the solution with 0.2%wt Mg content generated more homogeneous metal oxide layer on SiC particles therefore the solution with 0.2wt% Mg was selected as electroless coating medium to coat SiC particles reinforced to produce Al-Si/SiC metal matrix composites by stir casting route. The phases present in Al-Si/SiC composites was spinel (MgAl₂O₄), Si eutectic and Mg₂Si which was analysed by XRD.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 277)
• Pages: 43-50
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.277.43
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: Anne Zulfia, Tatu Mas’udah, Syukron Lutfi
• Keywords: Al-Si/SiC Metal Matrix Composites, Metal Oxide Coating, Mg₂Si, SiC Particles, Spinel

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