Prediction of chemical stability in SiCp/Al composites with alloying element addition using Wilson equation and an extended Miedema model

Alloying additions have an important effect on the chemical stability of SiCp/Al composites at high temperature. Using the Wilson equation and an extended Miedema model, the activity in a multiple-component system was calculated and then the influence of alloying element additions on the chemical reaction of SiCp/Al composites at high temperature was investigated from a thermodynamic viewpoint. The calculation results showed that the addition of most alloying elements such as copper or silicon could reduce the interfacial chemical reaction but the addition of some alloying elements such as magnesium could promote the reaction. The experimental results were in agreement with the calculation results.