Search Results

The effects of casting conditions and hot deformation processing on the mechanical properties of aluminum and magnesium cast composites were determined. A356 Al-20 vol.% SiCp composite ingot from Dural Composite Corporation was either squeeze cast under 140 MPa pressure or sand cast into a cylindrical shape. Both castings were subsequently hot worked via hot swaging to reductions of 33% to 95%. The AZ91 Mg-20 vol.% SiCp composites were prepared at Case Western Reserve University followed by either permanent mold and sand casting techniques to produce keel bars or squeeze casting at 140 MPa pressure. The squeeze cast Mg-SiCp cylinders were additionally hot extruded at 12:1 reduction ratio. Tensile strengths of A356 composite in the T6 condition improved from 235 to 280 MPa with squeeze casting: the tensile strength further increased to 339 MPa with hot deformation processing.