Al-SiC powder preparation for electronic packaging aluminum composites by plasma spray processing

Powders of pure aluminum (Al) with 55 and 75 vol.% SiC particles were ball milled in a conventional rotating ball mill with stainless steel and ZrO₂ balls for 1–10 h. The morphology and microstructure of the milled powders have been observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). The milled powders were plasma sprayed onto a graphite substrate to obtain Al matrix composites with high SiC volume fraction. SiC particles in the milled powders existed in two forms; i.e., the combination of Al into composite powder and individual. Plastic Al particles were broken during ball milling, and fine Al particles can be coated onto the surface of SiC particles. Iron contamination in the milled powders occurred when stainless steel balls were used. The iron level can be effectively controlled by using ZrO₂ ball media. The milling efficiency by ZrO₂ balls is inferior to that by stainless steel balls. Longer milling time was required with ZrO₂ balls to achieve the same effect as obtained with stainless steel balls. SiC particles in the sprayed composites from the milled powders exhibited a reasonably uniform distribution and high volume fraction.