Fabrication of SiC Whisker Reinforced Al Alloys and Their Applications

High pressure infiltration technique was applied as the actual production process to make SiC whisker(SiC-w) reinforced Al alloy composite in the SiC-w content range of 0.12 ∼ 0.35.

The properties obtained here showed remarkably high elasticity, tensile strength and lower thermal expansion coefficient with other sustaining properties compared with the matrix itself.

Two main problems were discussed to complete the process. One is on the specific behavior of magnesium which induces unhomogeneous distribution of it at the interface of the whisker and other one is the increase of hydrogen gas content in the body.

Machinability and forginability were also discussed to make it possible to complete final shape with low cost for future commercialization.