An experimental study on consolidation of aluminium based metal matrix composites by two-step sintering and spark plasma sintering Available to Purchase

Powder Metallurgy is the process of Mixing, Blending, Compaction, and Sintering of powders. Three powders namely Aluminium (Metal Matrix Element), Nickel and Silicon Carbide [90%, 7% and 3% by mass, respectively] were mixed thoroughly and blended with the help of Zirconium balls in the ratio of 2:1 in the ball mill cylindrical drum. One specimen was prepared using a Green Compaction by Universal Testing Machine (UTM) under a load of 280kN followed by Two Step Sintering. In the two-step sintering process, the compacted specimen was heated initially up to 300°C and dwelled for 3 hours, and then the temperature was increased to 462°C and maintained for 2 hours. Another specimen was consolidated through the Spark Plasma Sintering and processed at a temperature of 450°C under the load of 50Mpa. Both specimens were examined to study Microstructure, Density, and Hardness. The comparison results show that the Spark Plasma Sintering technique was better than the two-step sintering technique to improve the hardness and density values.