The Effect of Aging and the Protective Coating on the Oxidation Behavior of 6061Al/SiC Composite at High Temperatures

This paper analyses the effect of ageing on the oxidation behavior of 6061Al/SiC composite material at temperatures ranging from 500 to 800 K. Also aluminum coating is employed as protective coating in order to improve the oxidation resistance of the composite. SEM, EDAX, XRD and stepped oxidation measurement techniques are used to study the oxidation behavior and to characterize the composite specimens. Oxidation of the composite material without protective coatings is seen to be very rapid during the initial stages of exposure to the high temperatures but subsequently slowed down due to the formation of a protective surface layer of oxide. Among the artificially aged composites, peak aged specimens are more prone to oxidation. The oxidation was especially severe above 600 K. The interface between the matrix and reinforcement particles and the grain boundary regions of the matrix enhance this oxidation process since they provided sites for oxidation initiation. Aluminum coating on the composite obtained by DC magnetron sputtering technique, reduce the oxidation rate effectively since the interface regions between the matrix and reinforcement, grain boundary regions of the matrix are unexposed to the atmosphere. Aluminum coating provides better oxidation resistance for the artificially aged composites.