Fabrication of SiC_p/Al Composite Billets by Horizontal Continuous Casting and their Mechanical Properties

摘要

The thixoforming process is now becoming increasingly popular for the manufacturing of the near net shape parts. To apply the thixoforming process to the mass production of metal matrix composites parts, fabrication process of composites billet with uniform reinforcement distributions must be established. Continuous casting process is one of the most effective manufacturing processes for the mass production of billet. In the present study, horizontal continuous casting machine with combined stirring system for manufacturing of metal matrix composites (MMCs) billet was designed and fabricated. A380 alloy, which has good wear resistance, was used as matrix alloy. To establish the fabrication conditions, the effect of various parameters such as conditions for volume fraction, mold material and casting speed on composites continuous casting billet had been investigated. To investigate the uniformity of reinforcement distributions and defects, microstructures had been observed. To evaluate the suitability for application as automobile components, mechanical properties were investigated.