The influence of nickel coating on the interface of pressureless infiltrated with vibration Al-SiC composites
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nickel coatings on infiltration and interface of SiC reinforced Al-Mg composite. To this end, the pressureless infiltration procedure with vibration applied to produce composites with uncoated and nickel coated reinforcements at two temperatures of 650 °C and 850 °C. The microstructure of the infiltrated cross section was investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, linear and point analyses. Results indicated that coated ceramic preforms improved infiltration and strong interfaces in both temperatures were achieved. Also uncoated preform infiltrated at a temperature of 650 °C, was not proved to be appropriate and it did not form any interface. In this condition a small gap was found between aluminum matrix and ceramic reinforcement, and no bonding was established between the reinforcement and matrix, however the composite prepared in 850 °C had an acceptable interface and the presence of MgAl2O4 at the interface caused improvement in interface bonding. In addition, in the composite sample with coated reinforcement, the existence of Ni as coating prevented the SiC dissolution in the alloy and there was no sign of carbide formation at the interface. At the interface of produced composite, Al3Ni and Al3Ni2 compounds were formed in the matrix around the reinforcement.
- Publication:
-
Materials Research Express
- Pub Date:
- November 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1088/2053-1591/aa93b5
- Bibcode:
- 2017MRE.....4k6506E