Effect of heat-treatment on microstructure and properties of SiC particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composite
(College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China)
Abstract: The effects of solid solution and aging processing on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the multi-layer spray co-deposited 7090Al/SiCp composite were investigated. The experimented results show that fine grains and homogeneous microstructures can be obtained, the average grain size of the as-solid solution treated and as-aged composites after extrusion is under 3.0 μm. A large amount of the Cu-rich phase particles form in the as-extruded samples, and solve into the matrix after solid solution treatment. After aging, the size of the precipitate phases, mainly MgZn2 and CuAl2 is less than 1.0 μm, which homogeneously distribute inside the grains and at the grain boundaries. The ultimate tensile strength of the composite treated at T6 state, i.e. solid solution treated at 475 ℃ for 1 h then aged at 120 ℃ for 24 h, is up to 765 MPa.
Key words: aluminum matrix composite; spray deposition; heat-treatment; fracture morphology