An application of non-zinc lubricant to production process of metal matrix composites

A combination of aluminum (Al) alloy powder and silicon carbide particulate (SiCP) as a matrix and a reinforcement material of the MMC can be used for aerospace and automotive applications. This is made possible due to the low density, high strength and high modulus of the composite. In this paper, a SiC particulate reinforced A7075 composite is produced and the influence of zinc stearic acid (ZNS-1000) as lubricant and a non-zinc lubricant (MX-731A) on the physical and mechanical property is evaluated. Results indicate that the addition of 0.5 wt % non-zinc lubricant(MX-731A) improved the ultimate tensile strength, 560 MPa without heat treatment. The strength obtained is relatively the same as the alloy to A7075 (T6)-Ingot Metallurgy (I/M). Results of the composites prepared with addition of the ZNS-1000 showed no improvement in the mechanical properties due to less than optimal mixing conditions.