Effect of particle-size distribution on the properties of high-volume-fraction SiCP-Al-based composites

Abstract

High-volume-fraction SiC-Al-based composites have been fabricated by squeeze casting. The effect of particle-size distribution and squeeze-cast parameters on the metal-matrix composites (MMCs) was investigated. The results showed that bulk density of the composites was 2.855 to 3.067 g/cm(3) with the various component mixtures of SiC particulates, i.e., the SiC volume fraction was 51.6 to 74.4 pet. The young's modulus of the composites was between 220 and 226 GPa. The maximum four-point bending strength and fracture toughness reached 478 MPa and 9.42 MPa(m)(-1/2), respectively. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composites was from 5 to 8 x 10(-6)/K, depending on the volume fraction of SIG.