Mechanical Properties of As-Exposed Al-SiC_p Composite Fabricated by Powder Injection Moulding

Abstract:

This research investigated mechanical degradation of powder injection moulded SiC_p-reinforced aluminium composite subjected to moderate temperature exposures. Aluminium composite of 20 vol.% SiC_p reinforcement was produced by powder injection moulding and sintering at 680°C, followed by 500°C solution treatment plus 150°C for 6 hours artificial aging, and subsequent exposures at 100, 200 and 300°C for 10 and 100 hours. It was found that short-term exposure for 10 hours provided increasing hardness with increasing exposure temperature, while long-term exposure for 100 hours led to an opposite result. The maximum micro Vickers hardness was obtained at 182.2 H_v for Al-SiC_p composite exposed at 300°C for 10 hours. Tensile strength was however found deleterious with increasing both exposure temperature and time. The maximum tensile strength was achieved at 191.2 MPa for Al-SiC_p composite exposed at 100°C for 100 hours. The formations of AlN, Mg₂Si and Al₂Cu were observed in both age-hardened and as-exposed conditions. Furthermore, the highest temperature exposure at 300°C and extended exposure time at 100 hours resulted in the lowest hardness and tensile properties due possibly to the loss of coherency of precipitates. SiC_p clusters were the main cause of the tensile failure.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 751)
• Pages: 60-69
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.751.60
• Online since: August 2017
• Authors: Tapany Patcharawit*, Arada Ngeekoa, Wanphen Tongkerd, Sutam Takhampom, Supitcha Lapkeaw, Nutthita Chuankrerkkul
• Keywords: Composite, Hardness, Powder Injection Moulding, Tensile

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