Characterisation of spatial distribution of reinforcement in powder metallurgy route Al/SiC p metal matrix composites

Abstract

A technique for the characterisation of the spatial distribution of second phases, based on measurement of the variation in local energy dispersive X-ray analysis is outlined in the present paper. The technique is applied to powder metallurgy route Al–4Cu/20SiC_p (wt-%) metal matrix composites. Computer simulation of idealised microstructures shows that it is possible to distinguish between random dispersions of different volume fractions and between microstructures with clusters of different sizes and aspect ratios. Measurements from actual materials indicate that the technique is sensitive to small differences in the spatial distribution of the reinforcement and that it is a useful tool for measuring the quality of the microstructures.

MST/2082