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 energy ball milling a mixture of centrifugally atomized 2024 particles and β-SiC reinforcements having a size range between 2 and 6 μm. The experimental parameters studied were the milling time (between 1 and 24 h) and the volume proportion of β-SiC in the starting powder mixture (between 5 and 35%). These SiCp/2024 composite powders were consolidated by hot extrusion using optimized processing parameters. The microstructure of the extruded composites showed a uniform distribution of β-SiC particles in the 2024 aluminum matrix. Moreover, the mechanical properties (yield strength and Young’s modulus) improved with the SiC content although some reduction in ductility was observed.