Studies on mechanically alloyed aluminium (7010) - SiC particulate composites

Mechanical alloying has been increasingly employed in the development of aluminium alloys because it leads to a highly uniform distribution of ceramic dispersoids along with alloying of the elemental powders. The present study deals with the preparation and characterization of aluminium base alloys (7010) containing silicon carbide dispersion through attritor milling of powders of the elemental metals aluminium, zinc, copper and magnesium along with silicon carbide. Monitoring of the degree of alloying using XRD analysis indicated that the alloying of the elemental powders was 50-75% complete in 12 hours under the milling conditions employed. The composite powder produced after 12 hours of milling was degassed and consolidated by hot pressing at 600°C. Hardness and abrasive wear tests were conducted on the age-hardened composites.