Experimental research and compaction behaviour modelling of aluminium based composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles

The aim of the present paper were to determine compressibility behaviour of post-compacts depending on compaction pressure and the silicon carbide content in the Al–Cu matrix powder mixtures. Determination of Al-4 wt.% Cu with 5–20 wt.% SiC powder mixtures’ compressibility was performed in a double action hardened steel die at pressures between 50 and 450 MPa. For understanding of compaction behaviour of aluminum based composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles (SiCp) under various applied pressure conditions, experimental research has been made using several powder compaction equations. Thus were established which one of these compaction equations best describes densification mechanism of Al–Cu - carbide powders, for prediction of optimal pressure applied and to obtain the best densifications of all powder mixtures. In order to observe the influence of amount of SiCp on compaction behaviour of material we correlated the physical characteristics of the green compact (relative density) with their microstructural analysis using the Electron Probe Micro Analyser JXA-5A JEOL.