Production and Characterization of Al-SiC Composites Prepared by Mechanical Milling and Pressureless Sintering

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of SiC amount and milling time on microstructure, density and hardness in the aluminum composites produced by mechanical milling. In the study, aluminum composites were mechanical milled for different periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 min), adding SiC at different amounts (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt. %). High chromium steel balls with a diameter of 6 mm, a ratio of 10:1 ball-powder and 2% stearic acid were used as milling component in the production of composites in a vibrating mill. The production of composite powders was carried out in an argon atmosphere. The composite powders produced were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, EDS analysis, optical microscope and powder size analyzer. As a result, it was observed that as the amount of added SiC and milling time increased, the powder size decreased, and the hardness values increased. In addition, as the amount of added SiC increased, the densities of aluminum composites increased.