Particulate field distributions in centrifugally cast metal matrix composites

摘要

Centrifugal casting is used to establish a gradient profile of reinforcement particulate densities in a carrier matrix of a polymer resin and in an aluminum alloy. Cast disks of silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced resin and Al-Si/SiC particulate reinforced MMCs have been produced that show a gradient of SiC increasing from a denuded region adjacent to an axis of rotation of the disk to a maximum density at the periphery of the disk. An applied centrifugal acceleration applied by rotating the mold is used to establish an artificial settling of the particulate field in a homogeneous mixture of a fluid matrix and the particulates. The principle parameters in establishing a range of particulate densities in centrifugally cast particulate composites are the centrifugal acceleration applied and the length of time the matrix material remains in a liquid state. The magnitude of these parameters are determined by the specifics of a particular casting design.