Interface stability of the SiC particles/Fe matrix composite system

Abstract

The interface reaction between the SiC particles (SiCp) and Fe was studied during sintering the SiCp reinforced Fe matrix composites at 1423 K for 1 h. In the composite having 3wt% (weight ratio) SiCp (the 3SiCp/Fe composite), the interface reaction products of Fe₃Si, the carbon precipitates, and Fe₃C or pearlite were generated. Fe₃Si constructs the bright matrix of the reaction zone in the original situation of the SiCp. The carbon precipitates, are randomly embedded in the reaction zone. Fe₃C or pearlite exists at the grain boundaries of the Fe matrix. As increasing the SiCp concentration in the SiCp/Fe composite, the intensity of the interface reaction between SiCp and Fe increases. After the 10SiCp/Fe composite (having 10wt. % SiCp) sintered at 1423 K for 1 h, all of SiCp are decomposed, and replaced by the reaction zone composed of Fe₃Si and the carbon precipitates. No Fe₃C or pearlite was generated during the reaction. The effects of the techniques of oxidizing of SiCp, coating SiCp by interaction with the Cr powder, and alloying the Fe matrix by adding the Cr element on the interface stability of the SiCp/Fe composite system were also investigated, respectively. The oxide membrane and the coating layer on SiCp can inhibit the interface reaction between SiCp and Fe by isolating SiCp from the Fe matrix during sintering. The interface reaction does not occur in the 3 SiCp/Fe-10Cr composite but in the 3 SiCp/Fe-5 Cr composite. In the SiCp/Fe−Cr alloy composites, the interface reaction between SiCp and the Fe−Cr alloys is weaker than, that between SiCp and Fe. The Cr element behaves as a diluent, it causes a reduction in the interface reaction, which is proportional to the amount of the element added.

Keywords

interface reaction / interface stability / oxidation of SiC / coating / alloying

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