Microstructure Characterization of SiC Reinforced Aluminium and Al4Cu Alloy Matrix Composites

A conventional powder metallurgy method (PM) was used to produce Al-SiC and Al4Cu alloy matrix composites with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt% of SiC particles. Two different sizes of the reinforcing phase particles were applied to determine their effect on composite microstructure. The sintering process was carried out at 600°C under nitrogen atmosphere, and its consequence was the appearance of aluminium nitrides in composite microstructure acting as an additional strengthening phase. The composites were next re-pressed and re-sintered (2p2s) under the same conditions. The main aim of this article was to examine the microstructure of the SiC reinforced Al and Al4Cu alloy matrix composites. To achieve this goal and characterize the sintered materials, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used.