Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of Microwave Sintered Al-SiC Nanocomposites and Their Properties

Al-metal matrix composites (AMMCs) reinforced with diverse volume fraction of SiC nanoparticles were synthesized usingmicrowave sintering process. The effects of the reinforcing SiC particles on physical, microstructure, mechanical, and electricalproperties were studied. The phase, microstructural, and surface analyses of the composites were systematically conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and surface profilometer techniques, respectively. The microstructuralexamination revealed the homogeneous distribution of SiC particles in the Al matrix. Microhardness and compressive strength ofnanocomposites were found to be increasing with the increasing volume fraction of SiC particles. Electrical conductivity of thenanocomposites decreases with increasing the SiC content.