MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITES PRODUCED USING 3-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING OF CERAMIC PREFORMS AND PRESSURE INFILTRATION CASTING

摘要

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is a novel technology that is quickly establishing itself not only as a rapid prototyping tool but also as an extremely flexible manufacturing process. Novel tool-less pressure infiltration casting technology was developed which allows fabrication of net-shape metal matrix composites using 3-dimensional printing for ceramic preform manufacturing. The technological process which involves 3D-printing of the preforms, sintering of the preforms, pressure infiltration of sintered preforms with liquid metal, and heat treatment of the resulting composite was optimized to yield the highest mechanical properties in the resulting material. This study describes the influence of the major technological factors as well as matrix alloy composition on mechanical properties and microstructure of the new 3DP metal matrix composites reinforced with alumina and silicon carbide particles.