| The aims of this study were to develop a fabrication process of A356 aluminum alloy composites reinforced with SiC particulates using stir-casting method and to establish processing variables to improve their microstructures and mechanical properties. The water-pool modeling was conducted to simulate and establish the proper stir-casting conditions. Good quality Al-SiC_p composites having relatively homogeneous microstructure and sound Al/SiC interfacial bonding were obtained from the conditions of the stirring temperature of 710℃, the stirring speed of 220∼700 rpm, and the injection of Ar gas+SiC_p mixture, although they contained a small amount of micropores. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were found to be comparable with those of the commercial composites processed by Duralcan because of the homogeneous distribution of SiC particulates. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the A356 Al-SiC_p composites, minimization of micropores, fast cooling rate, homogeneous distribution of SiC and eutectic Si particles, and development of the subsequent processes such as die-casting or squeeze-casting were suggested. |
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