The production of Al-Mg alloy/SiC metal matrix composites by pressureless infiltration

Metal matrix composites have been produced by pressureless infiltration of Al-Mg alloys into SiC preforms at 900°C under N₂ for different infiltration times. The wettability of the ceramic reinforcement by the Al-Mg alloy is crucial in determining whether an MMC can be produced by pressureless infiltration. Sessile drop results show that Al alloys with Mg contents greater than 8 wt% had a contact angle lower than 90°C after 5 minutes contact time. This was in agreement with the pressureless infiltration results as MMCs have been produced after 30 minutes with these alloys. Sessile drop experiments also show that SiC is similarly wetted by Al-Mg alloys under both N₂ and Ar. It is concluded that the infiltration process does not involve the intermediate nitride phase suggested by other authors.