A Study on Fabrication Conditions of Al-SiCp Composites by Squeeze Casting

Squeeze Casting에 의한 Al-SiCp 복합재료의 제조 조건에 관한 연구

Al-2%Si-2%Mg alloy containing SiC particle in 20, $70{\mu}m$ were prepared by mean of squeeze casting with various pressure 50, 100, 150 and 220MPa respectively. The specimens were made by casting into $50{\Phi}{\times}100{\ell}$ mold under various squeeze conditions(pressures, pressurizing temperature, particle sizes). Mechanical properties(hardness, tensile strength, elongation and wear characteristics) were evaluated at room temperature with those various fabrication factors. It became feasible to make favorable Al-SiCp composite free from casting defects by the injection of Ar gas during melting and 100MPa pressure squeeze casting. However, pressure of 50MPa was not sufficient to avoid completely porosity formation as a result of precessing and shrinkage during solidification. As the particle size is smaller and the squeeze pressure is higher, the hardness and tensile strength at room temperature are higher. Cell size became smaller gradually with increase of squeeze pressure. With increase of squeeze pressure(MPa), wear behaviors of those composites were changed from adhesive into abrasive wear, and the tendency of above behavior became outstanding with increasing sliding speed. The chemical reaction(4Al＋3SiC${\rightarrow}$$Al_4C_3+3Si$) is more accelerated at interface between SiCp and matrix with increase of squeeze pressure. Therefore $Al_4C_3$ intercompound and Si peak intensity is increased at interface.