| The effect of processing parameters on the wetting of SiC by molten aluminum and the pressureless infiltration of SiCp preforms by aluminum alloys has been investigated. The effect of magnesium and silicon additions to aluminum, free silicon on the SiC substrate, nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, and process temperature on the wetting characteristics of SiC by aluminum alloys was investigated using the sessile drop technique. The contribution of each of these parameters and their interactions to the contact angle, surface tension, and driving force for wetting were determined via an L8 Taguchi experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, an optimized process for enhanced wetting is suggested and validated.; The process parameters under which optimum wetting of SiC by Al was obtained were used to infiltrate SiCp preforms with Al without the use of pressure.; The effect of SiC particle size, infiltration time, preform height, vol. % SiC in the preform, and Si coating on the SiC particles on the pressureless infiltration of SiCp compacts with aluminum was investigated and quantified via a Taguchi experiment and ANOVA. The contribution of each of these parameters and their interactions to the density, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture of the composites were determined. Processing conditions for obtaining optimum density, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity were projected. The projected modulus of elasticity obtainable under optimum processing conditions was validated experimentally.; A mechanism is proposed to explain the beneficial role that the interaction of nitrogen with magnesium plays in enhancing wetting. The role of silicon in wetting and pressureless infiltration of SiCp preforms by aluminum alloys is explained. |
