Title: Arrangement of the Al-Ni phases in Al/SiC(Ni)_p composites

Authors: Judit Pázmán; Viktor Mádai; Zoltán Gácsi; Árpád Kovács

Addresses: Institute of Materials Science, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc-Egyetemváros, Hungary. ' Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc-Egyetemváros, Hungary. ' Institute of Materials Science, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc-Egyetemváros, Hungary. ' SEM Laboratory, Institute of Materials Science, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc-Egyetemváros; Hungary

Abstract: In the course of the production of Al/SiC composites made by powder metallurgical method, the interfacial bond between the reinforcing phase and the matrix is not acceptable in all cases. So the ceramic particles can suffer different kinds of damage by the stress which can mean the dropping out of the particles from the matrix, or their cracking. In order to improve the interfacial bond, the surface coating of the ceramic particles is recommended. One of the surface treatment methods is the electroless nickel plating (EN plating). The successfulness of the electroless nickel plating depends on the pre-treatment methods. By using the EN plated SiC particles in the Al/SiC composites, the nickel deposit of the silicon particles and the matrix can react with the formation of the different Al-Ni phases during the sintering. These phases were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Keywords: surface coating; acidic pre-treatment; surface oxidation; palladium chloride activation; aluminium alloy matrix composites; silicon carbide; SiC particles; powder metallurgy; interfacial bonding; surface treatment; electroless nickel plating; sintering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2012.045802

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2012 Vol.7 No.1, pp.49 - 63

Published online: 12 Mar 2012 *

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