Al-SiC composites synthesized by the spark plasma sintering method (SPS)
Dariusz Garbiec, Mieczysław Jurczyk
Quarterly No. 4, 2013 pages 255-259
DOI:
keywords: spark plasma sintering, composite material, Al-SiC composite
abstract This work presents the results of studies concerning the production and characterization of Al-SiC composite materials with a 20 and 25% volume fraction of reinforcing phase particles. The spark plasma sintering method (SPS) was applied for the purpose of producing these materials. The final product of the applied process was Al-SiC composites characterized by a density from 2.70 to 2.72 g/cm3. The results of effective porosity and total porosity measurements are discussed. It was proven that as the content of hard ceramic particles increases in the composite, its apparent density, hardness, and compression strength increase with a simultaneous reduction in tensile strength. For example, the performed tests showed that the composite with the 25% silicon carbide content exhibited the greatest hardness (81.2 HBW 2.5/62.5) and compression strength (315 MPa).