EFFECT OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON THE DENSIFICATION OF 2124-AL-20 VOL.PERCENT SICP COMPOSITES FABRICATED BY EXPLOSIVE COMPACTION

This paper explores the possibility of producing metal-matrix composit es using the explosive compaction method. Attempts have been made to c ompact powders of 2124 Al and silicon carbide. The effect of the explo sive pad thickness and related parameters such as the impact energy im parted to the powder and the ratio of the explosive mass to the powder mass (E-m/P-m) on the density of the compacts have been studied. Micr ostructural variations with respect to the processing conditions have been investigated also. The compacted 2124-20 vol.% SiCp composite spe cimens have been subjected to hot rolling at 520 degrees C and age har dened. The tensile properties of the composites have also been evaluat ed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.