Fabrication and Characteristics of (ABOw plus SiCp)/6061Al Composite by Semi-Solid Mechanical Stirring Technique

Aluminum matrix hybrid composites reinforced with ZnO-coated aluminum borate whisker (Al(18)B(4)O(33)w) and silicon carbide particle (SiCp) were fabricated successfully by semi-solid mechanical stirring technique. Mechanical property at room temperature and and microstructures of composites were characterized by tensile test, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that ZnO coating can effectively improve the wettability of ABOw/aluminum owing to the interfacial reaction between ZnO and aluminum, which further significantly affect mechanical property of the composite. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elastic modulus of the hybrid composites are higher than those of 6061Al alloy, but the ductility of the hybrid composites is relatively lower. Additionally, the ultimate tensile strength and the ductility of the composites increase with increasing the whisker contents.