The effect of mechanical alloying on SiC distribution and the properties of 6061 aluminum composite

6061 Aluminum alloy reinforced with 8 vol.% SiC particulate composite was produced by P/M processing. Mechanical alloying (MA) technique was used to mill the blended powder under argon. The results of MA processing have been investigated with SEM, EDS, OM, XRD. C The results show that relatively homogeneous distribution of SiCp reinforcement in the matrix could be obtained by mechanical alloying technique after 5 h. MA processing has some disadvantages, such as low compressibility of the powder and gas contamination, both of which affect the integrity of sintering. A degassing procedure is suggested to improve the compressibility and sintering. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.