Synthesis of the in situ aluminum matrix composite through pyrolysis of high temperature vulcanization silicone

In this study, in situ aluminum matrix composites were synthesized through pyrolysis of high temperature vulcanization silicone in commercially pure aluminum melt. For this purpose, 1 to 4 wt% of high temperature vulcanization silicone was added to a vortex of molten aluminum at 750℃ and the resulting slurries were cast in steel dies. Microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of the as-cast samples were examined at ambient and high temperatures. The results revealed the in situ formation and distribution of reinforcement particles in the matrix. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that the formed reinforcement particles consisted of O and Si elements. This confirms the in situ reinforcement formation by pyrolysis of high temperature vulcanization silicone in the melt. The size of the in situ formed particles was mostly in the range of 200–2000 nm. It was shown that the composites synthesized by the addition of 4 wt% high temperature vulcanization had the highest mechanical properties both at ambient and high temperatures. Room temperature hardness, tensile strength, and yield strength of this sample were increased by about 50%, 23%, and 19% compared to the monolithic sample, respectively.