Abstract
Squeeze-cast metal-matrix composite ingots have been manufactured by recasting A356/10% SiCp and by melt infiltrating A357/Al2O3f. The resulting microstructures have been examined by optical and transmission electron microscopy. The primary aluminium in squeeze-cast A356/10% SiCp exhibits a dendritic structure with eutectic silicon particles and SiC particulate distributed throughout the interdendritic regions. Unlike squeeze-cast monolithic A357, the primary aluminium dendrite arm spacing and eutectic-silicon particle size in squeeze-cast A356/10% SiCp are not strongly affected by an increased cooling rate at high applied pressure. With low die and preform temperature, a high applied pressure is essential to obtain complete melt infiltration in A357/Al2O3f. During melt infiltration, the ceramic preform acts as a filter, preferentially allowing silicon rich liquid to pass through.
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Zhang, D.L., Brindley, C. & Cantor, B. The microstructures of aluminium alloy metal-matrix composites manufactured by squeeze casting. Journal of Materials Science 28, 2267–2272 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367593
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367593