Some Aspects of Performance Appraisal of Aluminum - Silicon Carbide Particulate (SiCp) Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

Stresses induced due to thermal mismatch between the metal matrix and the ceramic reinforcement in metal matrix composite may impart plastic deformation to the matrix there by resulting in a reduction of the residual stresses. Thermal mismatch strains also may quite often crack the matrix resulting in a relaxation of the residual stresses. The interface in MMCs is a porous, non-crystalline portion in comparison with the matrix or the reinforcement (metal matrix and ceramic reinforcement in this case). Therefore residual stresses are readily released at the porous and non-crystalline interface as a result of which when particle density is high, i.e. in regions which are particle starved, meaning the availability of the interface is limited, particle fracturing is predominating. In the present investigation ring-shaped Al-SiCp MMCs are fabricated in the solid state processing route. The sintering temperature and time of holding at the sintering temperature are varied and the s...