Thermostability of Monolithic and Reinforced Al-Fe-V-Si Materials

Al-Fe-V-Si alloys reinforced with SiC particles were prepared by multi-layer spray deposition technique. Both microstructures and mechanical properties including hardness and tensile properties development during hot exposure process of Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si, Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si/15 vol% SiCP and Al-10.0Fe-1.3V-2Si/15 vol% SiCP were investigated. The experimental results showed that an amorphous interface of about 3 nm in thickness formed between SiC particles and the matrix. SiC particles injected silicon into the matrix; thus an elevated silicon concentration was found around alpha-Al-12(Fe, V)(3)Si dispersoids, which subsequently inhibited the coarsening and decomposition of alpha-Al-12(Fe, V)(3)Si dispersoids and enhanced the thermostability of the alloy matrix. Moreover, the thermostability of microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-10.0Fe-1.3V-2Si/15 vol% SiCP are of higher quality than those of Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si/15 vol% SiCP. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009