Fabrication of 2124A1 - SiC metal matrix composites by one dimensional underwater shock consolidation

摘要

2124 Al matrix composites reinforced with SiC particulates have been fabricated using one dimensional underwater shock consolidation. The consolidation was carried out at room temperature as well as at high temperature. A layer of water has been used to transmit the shock waves uniformly and effectively on the powders to be compacted. The water thickness varied from 0 to 15 mm in room temperature shock consolidation. The temperature was varied upto 400℃ in hot shock consolidation. The effect of temperature on the microstructure of the composites has been studied. Also, the effect of water thickness on the microstructure in room temperature shock consolidated composites has been investigated. The effect of the process conditions on the hardness of the composites produced by both methods also has been studied. The variation in microstructure across the cross section of the composites produced by both the consolidations has been investigated. Hot shock consolidation was found to be good for achieving uniform distribution of reinforcement in the matrix.