ALUMINUM-BASE METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE

摘要

The invention provides an aluminum-base composite material. The aluminum-base material contains a uniform distribution of carbide particles and lubricating phase particles such as carbon or graphite. The carbide particle s increase hardness for improved wear resistance. The lubricating phase particles provi de improved wear resistance and especially improve unlubricated wear resistance under increased loads. Finally, a dispersoid of nickel aluminide intermetallic pha se may also be used to provide additional hardness and wear resistance. The composi te is formed by introducing carbide particles and lubricating phase such as graphi te into a molten aluminum alloy to neutralize buoyancy and to form an aluminum-base mixture. Mixing the aluminum-base mixture to uniformly distribute carbide an d carbon particles throughout the molten aluminum. Carbide and carbon particle s counteract each other to remain uniformly distributed throughout the aluminum-base alloy despite prolonged holding or cooling times.