Fabrication of Electroless Ni Plated Fe–Al2O3 Ceramic–Metal Matrix Composites

摘要

Ni–Fe metal matrix composites reinforced with Al2O3 have been fabricated by tube furnace sintering at various temperatures. A uniform nickel layer on Al2O3 and Fe powders was deposited using electroless plating technique prior to sintering, allowing closer surface contact than can be achieved using conventional methods such as mechanical alloying. The reactivity between Al2O3 and Fe powders to form carbides of Fe is controlled through Ni layer existing on the starting powders. A composite consisting of quaternary additions, a ceramic phase, Al2O3, within a matrix of FeNi, has been prepared at the temperature range 1000–1400 °C under Ar shroud. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), compressive testing and hardness measurements were employed to characterize the properties of the specimens. Experimental results carried out for 1400 °C suggest that the best properties as σmax and hardness (HV) were obtained at 1400 °C and the tube sintering of electroless Ni plated Al2O3 and Fe powders is a promising technique to produce ceramic reinforced Ni–Fe composites.