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Abstract
Metal matrix composites can be produced by powder metallurgy (P/M). Product of P/M generally contains porosity that affects physical and mechanical properties. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of temperature variation on compacted and graphite addition on the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Si/C composites. The materials in this research were Al-Si as the matrix and graphite powder as the reinforcement. The content of reinforcement were 0 and 2.5 wt% of graphite. Powder was compacted 400 MPa at 150o C, 200o C and 250o C. The green bodies were sintered at 500 oC for 2 hours. Physical and mechanical properties of Al-Si/C composites were tested by Brinnel hardness, optical microscopic and density. Results of the research show that the addition of graphite up to 2.5 wt% and increasing compacted temperature increases the hardness and density of Al-Si/C composites. Hardness and density of a specimen containing 2.5 wt% graphite which is compacted 250o C are 49 VHN and 2.7 gr/cm3 respectively whereas a graphite-free specimen compacted at 250o C has hardness of 48 VHN and density of 2.68 gr/cm3.
Keywords : Uniaxial hot pressing, graphite, composite