Pulse electric current sintering of 3D interpenetrating SiC/Al composites

A novel technique is proposed for fabricating 3D interpenetrating SiC/Al composites by pressure infiltration of molten aluminum into porous SiC ceramic utilizing a pulse electric current sintering method. The porous SiC ceramics was prepared by low temperature sintering at 850 °C using glass bonding materials. Then, the porous SiC ceramic preform "sandwiched" between two aluminum discs was sintered at 660 °C for 2 min. The microstructures, Young's modulus, and internal frication of the composites were investigated. Up to more than 98% of all open pores were infiltrated with molten metal even after a very short processing time. Aluminum was homogeneously dispersed throughout the SiC ceramic, and the SiC/Al interface was well bonded without any obvious reaction.