Thermal Expansion and Mechanical Properties of Middle Reinforcement Content SiCp/Al Composites Fabricated by PM Technology

Middle reinforcement content SiCp/Al composites (V-p = 30%, 35% and 40%) for precision optical systems applications were fabricated by powder metallurgy technology. The composites were free of porosity and SiC particles distributed uniformly in the composites. The mean linear coefficients of thermal expansion (20-100 degrees C) of SiCp/Al composites ranged from 11.6x10(-6) to 13.3x10(-6) K-1 and decreased with an increase in volume fraction of SiC content. The experimental coefficients of thermal expansion agreed well with predicted values based on Kerner's model. The Brinell hardness increased from 116 to 147, and the modulus increased from 99 to 112 GPa for the corresponding composites. The tensile strengths were higher than 320 MPa, but no significant increasing trend between tensile strength and SiC content was observed.