Determination of densification behavior of Al–SiC metal matrix composites during consolidation processes

Powder metallurgy and vacuum hot pressing were used for the development of SiC-particle reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites. The effect of process conditions on the consolidation was investigated in terms of the relative density changes concurrent with microstructural evolutions. Increasing temperature or pressure led to increased densification rates. Applied pressure, however strongly influenced densification time for the materials. Levels of consolidation together with mechanical properties of the developed products also depended on the volume fraction of reinforcement particles. A constitutive model is presented to determine the densification behavior of the materials. The model was implemented into finite element software so process simulations could be carried out and the predicted relative density could be compared to experimental observations.