A comparison of aluminium-based metal-matrix composites reinforced with coated and uncoated particulate silicon carbide

The low-cost production and performance of 6061-aluminium alloy matrices reinforced with coated and non-coated particulate silicon carbide has been studied. The effect of coating the particles with copper has proved beneficial to interfacial bonding and resulted in larger failure strains. Differences in the fracture characteristics of specimens containing coated and non-coated particles were observed. There was confirmation of the importance of particle size on mechanical properties.