Abstract
The contact of SiC particles with molten Al-Si-Cu alloy may result in Al4C3 formation in the electron beam remelting of aluminum alloy matrix composites, depending upon the matrix composition. It is known that the formation of Al4C3 is affected by melt temperature, holding time and silicon content in the matrices, and also high silicon levels are required to prevent the Al4C3 formation. However, the influence of copper content on the Al4C3 formation has not been clear. Therefore, the influence of silicon and copper content on the Al4C3 formation was studied, and the following results were obtained: high copper and low silicon content promote the Al4C3 formation in electron beam remelting. The formed plate-like Al4C3 prevents the bead surface from smoothing.
