Fabrication of aluminum-SiCw Composites by flux-compounding method

Abstract

A simple technique (fluxing method) employing the mixture of titanium fluoride and SiC whiskers was tested for the fabrication of SiC/aluminum matrix composites. Substantial mixing of whiskers with a molten aluminum-magnesium alloy was obtained only by stirring the liquid alloy covered with the above flux, and a good wettability of SiC whisker to liquid aluminum was demonstrated. EPMA and Auger electron analyses of the SiC/aluminum composites produced by the fluxing method showed some enrichment of titanium and carbon on the surface of SiC whiskers. It was suggested that the interface reaction between the whiskers and the molten aluminum could be suppressed by the formation of TiC thin layer on the surface of the whiskers.