Fabrication of AZ61/SIC composites by powder metallurgy process

Mg-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) with addition of SiC reinforcement was fabricated by using a pre-alloyed AZ61 powder compressed without binder agent under compaction pressure of 200MPa for 20 minutes at different temperature intervals of 200?C, 250?C, 300?C and 350?C. Some of the compressed samples were then undergone a sintering process at temperature 500?C in argon-protected atmosphere for 6 hours. Microstructural observation resulted the diffusion of element from SiC particle into AZ61 matrix at 350oC compaction. The diffusion caused the lamellar precipitates occur on the sample. The sintered sample resulted on the extended diffusion element from SiC particle into the matrix for AZ61/SiC 350oC sintered sample. The as-hot compacted samples show the compaction at 350oC allowed diffusion element from SiC into the AZ61 matrix. The sintering process allow recovery of defects and releasing of internal stresses of compacted samples, and lead to the softening of the material, but for sample AZ61/SiC 350oC sintered sample show increasing of hardness value owing to element diffusions and the growing of lamellar precipitates on the sample during sintering