Thermostability of Monolithic and Reinforced Al–Fe–V–Si Materials

Abstract

Al–Fe–V–Si alloys reinforced with SiC particles were prepared by multi-layer spray deposition technique. Both microstructures and mechanical properties including hardness and tensile properties development during hot exposure process of Al–8.5Fe–1.3V–1.7Si, Al–8.5Fe–1.3V–1.7Si/15 vol% SiCP and Al–10.0Fe–1.3V–2Si/15 vol% SiCP were investigated. The experimental results showed that an amorphous interface of about 3 nm in thickness formed between SiC particles and the matrix. SiC particles injected silicon into the matrix; thus an elevated silicon concentration was found around α-Al12(Fe, V)3Si dispersoids, which subsequently inhibited the coarsening and decomposition of α-Al12(Fe, V)3Si dispersoids and enhanced the thermostability of the alloy matrix. Moreover, the thermostability of microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–10.0Fe–1.3V–2Si/15 vol% SiCP are of higher quality than those of Al–8.5Fe–1.3V–1.7Si/15 vol% SiCP.