Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of $SiC_p/6061$ Al Composites Fabricated by Indirect Squeeze Casting

간접 용탕단조법에 의하여 제조한 $SiC_p/6061$ Al 복합재료의 조직과 기계적 성질

Particulate reinforced aluminum alloys produced by indirect squeeze casting are difficult to shape by cutting or milling. Therefore near net shape forming of complex shapes is of high economic and technical interest. The complex shape products of $SiC_p/6061$ Al composites are fabricated by the melt-stirring and indirect squeeze casting process. The mold temperatures are $200^{\circ}C$ and $300^{\circ}C$ and applied pressures are 70, 100, and 130 MPa. The volume fractions of the reinforcements are in the range of 5 vol% to 15 vol%. The reinforcement dispersion state are observed using on optical microscope. By employing observed results systematically a correlation is demonstrated among the microstructure, particles behavior, mechanical properties and processing parameters for an optimum melt-stirring(compocasting) and indirect squeeze casting process of MMCs. A procedure to establish the optimum squeeze casting of Al-MMCs is proposed.