Technology for Obtaining Composite Material with Metallic Matrix and Si-C Particles

The technologies of producing metallic matrix composites and SiC reinforced particles are determined by the gas/liquid and liquid/solid particle transfer. A new technology of producing particle-reinforced composites is presented, the preparation facility of the alloy-particle suspension is connected directly to a continuous casting installation equipped with a water-cooled Cu catalyst. Theoretically, the values of the technological parameters necessary for the homogenous distribution and the incorporation of the reinforcement particles are presented. The investigation and the characterization of the achieved composites was made from the standpoint of mechanic properties (tear resilience, hardness), chemical-structural properties (scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)), and tribological properties (linear wear intensity, friction). Furthermore, the density difference and the size of the reinforcement particles influence the critical velocity of the SiC particles at the gas/liquid interface. This critical displacement rate of the solidification front is also decisively influenced by the difference between the interphasic tensions. The tear resilience to the base alloy employed is doubled for some composites samples. Furthermore, the higher hardness of the matrix in the vicinity of its contact area with the particle confirms the formation of chemical compounds at the interface. The composites reinforced with hard SiC particles have an optimum resilience to abrasive wear.