Fluxing of a 359/SiC/10p composite with alkali chlorides: effect of inclusions

The effect of salt addition, in the form of a fluxing agent containing equivalent amounts of NaCl and KCl, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 359/SiC/10p composite has been investigated. Both microstructure and properties are affected, with the removal of magnesium and strontium and the introduction of sodium and potassium being responsible for the degradation in properties. Thermodynamic calculations have been carried out to account for the effect of salt addition in terms of the surface adsorption of sodium and potassium impurities and the consequent changes in the surface-interface tension of their binary alloys. Mechanisms for the degradation of properties have been discussed.