Characterization of SiCp/2024 aluminum alloy composites prepared by mechanical processing in a low energy ball mill

In the present work, SiCp/2024 composite powders were produced by low energ y ball milling a mixture of centrifugally atomized 2024 particles and beta- SiC reinforcements having a size range between 2 and 6 mu m. The experiment al parameters studied were the milling time (between 1 and 24 h) and the vo lume proportion of beta-SiC in the starting powder mixture (between 5 and 3 5%). These SiCp/2024 composite powders were consolidated by hot extrusion u sing optimized processing parameters. The microstructure of the extruded co mposites showed a uniform distribution of beta-SIC particles in the 2024 al uminum matrix. Moreover, the mechanical properties (yield strength and Youn g's modulus) improved with the SIC content although some reduction in ducti lity was observed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.