Abstract
SiC whisker reinforced 6061 aluminum composites were fabricated by P/M method. Effect of size of aluminum powder on the tensile and fatigue strength was studied in connection with the microstructure of composites.
The main results obtained are as follows:
(1) By using large powders, SiC whiskers in composite were not distributed uniformly and were oriented irregularly. Moreover, they were shortened during hot extrusion.
(2) The tensile and fatigue strength proportionally increased with SiC whisker volume fraction, however, the strengthening rate per unit whisker volume fraction was fairly large for the composite consolidated by using fine powders.
