Manufacture of 2014 aluminium reinforced with SiC particulate by vacuum hot pressing

Abstract Validation of non-destructive assessment techniques for metal matrix composites (MMC) requires the production of specimens with controlled microstructures. the production of specimens of particulate-reinforced MMC is described, using 2014 aluminium matrix and 600 grit SiC as a model system. Production was by a powder route with consolidation by vacuum hot pressing. Billets with 0–40 vol.% filler and 0%–10% porosity have been produced. Thermal conductivity of the poured powder is poor but can be enhanced by cold pre-pressing. It is shown that the degassing of the mixed powders depends on the quantity of 2014 aluminium present. During consolidation shear transfer of load to the cylindrical die is reduced by supersolidus pressing in conjunction with low SiC contents. For solid state pressing, increasing the SiC content from 0% to 20% can reduce densification rates by a factor of 2 for identical pressing conditions.