In this study, silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced lead-free solder (SAC305) was prepared by the powder metallurgy method. In this method SAC305 powder and SiC powder were milled, compressed and sintered to prepare composite solder. The composite solders were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy for the microstructural investigation and mechanical test. Addition of 1.5 wt. % and 2 wt. % ceramic reinforcement to the composite increased compressive strengths and microhardness up to 38% and 68% compared to those of the monolithic sample. In addition, the ceramic particles caused an up to 55% decrease in the wetting angle between the substrate and the composite solder and porosity was always increased with increase of SiC particles.
The presented work deals with the influence of the addition of soft graphite particles on the abrasive wear of composite reinforced with
hard SiC particles. The discussed hybrid composites were produced by stirring the liquid alloy and simultaneous adding the mixture of
particles. The adequately prepared suspension was gravity cast into a metal die. Both the composite castings obtained in this way and the
comparative castings produced of the pure matrix alloy were examined for the abrasive wear behaviour. Photomacrographs of the sliding
surfaces of the examined composites were taken, and also the hardness measurements were carried out. It was found that even a small
addition of Cgr particles influences positively the tribological properties of the examined composite materials, protecting the abraded
surface from the destructive action of silicon carbide particles. The work presents also the results of hardness measurements which confirm
that the composite material hardness increases with an increase in the volume fraction of hard reinforcing particles.
The gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welding behaviors of a magnesium matrix composite reinforced with SiC particles were examined in terms of
microstructure characteristics and process efficiencies. This study focused on the effects of the GTAW process parameters (like welding
current in the range of 100/200 A) on the size of the fusion zone (FZ). The analyses revealed the strong influence of the GTA welding
process on the width and depth of the fusion zone and also on the refinement of the microstructure in the fusion zone. Additionally, the
results of dendrite arm size (DAS) measurements were presented.