OXIDATION BEHAVIOR OF CARBON ALUMINIUM AND SIC/ALUMINIUM COMPOSITES/

Isothermal oxidation of 6061 Al, reinforced with chopped carbon fibres and SIC particles, was studied to investigate the applicability of th ese composites in the temperature range 300-500 degrees C, in terms of their degradation due to oxidation. Carbon/aluminium composite suffer ed a tremendous loss in weight at 350 degrees C. The extent of the dam age due to oxidation for SiC/Al composites depended upon the concentra tion of nucleation sites, which formed the interface between the compo site and the matrix. The number of such sites depended upon the volume fraction and size of the dispersed particles. Analysis of the oxide s ea le was carried out using SEM/EDAX and X-ray diffraction. The deteri oration in strength of the composites, due to oxidation, was determine d by tensile testing of exposed specimens.