Study On Ceramic Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite By Electromagnetic Centrifugal Casting

Two different Al matrix functional gradient materials, one reinforced by two different granularity SiCp and the other by SiCp and B4Cp in the same size, were prepared by Electromagnetic Centrifugal Casting(EMCC). The particle distribution in the composites which were prepared with different magnetic field strength was tested. Results show that it is much easier for the smaller particles to scatter evenly with the same magnetic field strength. The B4Cp whose density is smaller than Al scatter evenly with lower magnetic field strength; yet the SiCp whose density is larger than Al scatter evenly with higher magnetic field strength. The hardness and the abrasion resistance of the two composites were tested, and the effect of particle distribution to these mechanical properties of the composites was studied. The one dimension numerical model of particle reinforced Al matrix composite in the magnetic field and the centrifugal field was founded based on cylindrical coordinates, which resorts to the theory of continuity medium, the law of liquid metal in the magnetic field and the motion law of particles in the centrifugal field. Based on this model, the SiC particle distribution in SiCp/Al by (EMCC) was modeled and the SiC particle distribution of SiCp/Fe by (EMCC) was also modeled and discussed.