Powder Metallurgy of Iron-based Matrix Composite with Silicon Carbide (SiC) Reinforcement

Fe-based composites are found to be a promising material for automotive, process and chemical industries but little attention has been given to the study of their properties.
This project aimed to study the influences of reinforcement ratios and sintering temperatures on particulate type composite. Pure iron and composite specimens containing 5, 10 and 15 wt.% of SiC particles are fabricated by powder metallurgy technique. The powders are compacted by Auto-Pelletizer equipment at 500MPa and then are sintered in Argon atmosphere for 45 minutes with heating and cooling rates of 5°C/min and 10°C/min, respectively.