• Composites Research
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2001

The particulates reinforced metal matrix composites(PMMC) have a number of interesting mechanical properties. including high strength and good resistance to wear at high temperature and low thermal expansion. The equipment structure to obtain the homogeneous distribution in composites are proposed for the continuous pouring of reinforcement at the desired temperature. The particulates reinforced metal matrix composites(A357/SiCp) were fabricated by the process of the combined stirring method with the various fabrication process. The combined stirring method to niform distribution of particle is consisted of two stirring force both electro-magnetic stirring generated from induction heating and mechanical stirring with graphite stirrer. PMMC billets were fabricated with the volume fractions ranged from 0% to 20% and particle sizes ranged from 14${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ to 25${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. It is important to cont the size of primary $\alpha$-Al solid particles because it could become the cause of the particle pushing or capture phenomena from the fact that secondary dendrite arm spacing size depends on the cooling rate during the solidification in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy. Therefore, the effect of primary $\alpha$-Al on the reinforcement distribution in matrix alloys has been investigated. The microstructure of PMMC fabracated with various volume fractions(0%, 10%, and 20%) and particle size were observed.