The diffusion welding of 7075Al-3%SiC particles reinforced composites

A group of 3% SiC particle reinforced Al-7075 alloys was diffusion joined at 560A degrees C between 1 h and 2 h durations under 2 MPa applied pressure in a vacuum of 2 x 10(-3) Pa. Optical microscopy and SEM-EDS studies were used to characterise the weldment and the fracture surfaces of all samples investigated. A non-planar interface formation was observed at the bond interface. The maximum shear strength of 137 MPa was obtained with the composite 7075-3% SiC joined for two hours, which is 92% of the shear strength of the parent material. The fracture surface of the 7075-3% SiC composites displayed a non-planar fracture surfaces with some plastic deformation.