The effect of magnesium and nickel as alloying elements in AlCuSiC composites

Abstract The influence of additions of magnesium and nickel to a binary AlCu base reinforced with SiC whiskers has been investigated. The composites were produced by squeeze casting with the reinforcement as preforms containing 12 and 25 vol.% SiC whiskers. The results show that magnesium has a deleterious effect, giving poorer mechanical properties. Nickel has only a marginal influence at room temperature, and worsens the mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.