Analysis of microstructure and properties of aluminum matrix composites with different contents of SiC+Al2O3 prepared by cold spraying

doi:10.19936/j.cnki.2096-8000.20260628.004

Abstract

Abstract: The addition of ceramic phases to aluminum matrix composites is an effective method to enhance their properties. In this study, ceramic particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites were prepared using cold spray technology, with the ceramic particles being an equal proportion mixture of SiC and Al₂O₃. The total ceramic content was set at 15wt%, 30wt%, and 45wt%, respectively. Subsequently, the cross-sectional morphology, particle content, bonding strength, tensile strength, and hardness of the deposits were analyzed. Microstructural analysis revealed that as the theoretical content of ceramic particles increased, their actual proportion in the deposits rose from 11% to 23%. However, when the theoretical content reached 45wt%, issues such as particle agglomeration and weakened interfacial bonding were observed in the deposits, while the porosity increased from 1.12% to 1.23%. Mechanical tests showed a non-monotonic trend in microhardness(107.6 HV → 106.2 HV → 113.4 HV), while bonding strength and tensile strength improved to 48.38 MPa and 156.81 MPa, respectively. However, the high-content coating demonstrated significantly reduced plastic deformation capacity due to interfacial defects. Tribological tests indicated that the friction coefficient increased from 0.53 to 0.57, while wear loss decreased from 3.24 mg to 2.85 mg, revealing a synergistic wear-resistant effect of SiC and Al₂O₃. The study concludes that the low-content coating(15wt%) offers balanced overall performance, whereas the high-content coating(45wt%), despite its superior hardness and wear resistance, requires optimization of particle dispersion and interfacial bonding to mitigate fracture tendencies.

Key words: cold spray, SiC+Al₂O₃ aluminum matrix composites, microstructure, mechanical properties, wear resistance

CLC Number:

TB332

CHENG Qingsi, ZHANG Liheng, XIN Hongmin, ZHOU Jinhua, LI Yihan, LI Guangping. Analysis of microstructure and properties of aluminum matrix composites with different contents of SiC+Al₂O₃ prepared by cold spraying[J]. COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 2026, 0(6): 28-37.

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Analysis of microstructure and properties of aluminum matrix composites with different contents of SiC+Al₂O₃ prepared by cold spraying

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