Using explosive energy for processing aluminum matrix composites

V. Popov; V. Gulbin; E. Sungurov

doi:doi:10.1051/jp4:2000920

Issue		J. Phys. IV France Volume 10, Number PR9, September 2000 EURODYMAT 2000 - 6th International Conference on Mechanical and Physical Behaviour of Materials under Dynamic Loading


Page(s)		Pr9-119 - Pr9-122
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2000920

EURODYMAT 2000 - 6th International Conference on Mechanical and Physical Behaviour of Materials under Dynamic Loading

J. Phys. IV France 10 (2000) Pr9-119-Pr9-122
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2000920

Using explosive energy for processing aluminum matrix composites

V. Popov¹, V. Gulbin² and E. Sungurov¹

¹ Moscow State Institute of Steel and Alloys, Leninsky Prospect 4, 117936 Moscow, Russia
² State Enterprise "Scientific Research and Design Institute of Assembly Technology", NIKIMT, Altuf'evskoe Shosse 43, 127410 Moscow, Russia

Abstract
This paper concerns the use of explosives in the processing of aluminium metal matrix composites (AMC). These materials were manufactured from aluminium and silicon carbide powders with diameters of : 1, 5 and 10 microns. After stirring, the mixture was pressed under various conditions to obtain relative densities between 82 and 98%. After the samples were treated by explosive compression they were extruded. After explosive treatrnent, the density was measured and the microstructures were studied using both optical and electronic microscopy. It is shown that a uniform distribution of silicon carbide particles is present in the compressed samples and there is an absence of any defects, including pores. The following factors improve the extrudability of the materials : a) the explosive treatment and b) only using silicon carbide particles with diameters of 1 micron or less. It is concluded that this explosive treatment improves the properties of the AMC and therefore it can be used more widely.