Preparation and Mechanical Properties of ZL205A Alloy-Infiltrated SiC Foam Ceramic Composites

ZL205A alloy-infiltrated SiC foam ceramic composites were prepared by extrusion infiltration process. The effect of different porosity of SiC foam ceramic on the properties of the composites was investigated. The results show that the prepared SiC foam ceramics are tightly combined with the ZL205A matrix material, and there are few cracks and other defects can be observed. The SiC foam ceramic as the reinforcing phase refines the grains of the ZL205A matrix phase. The pore structure and the grain size are finer and smaller with the decrease of reinforcing phase porosity. The mechanical properties of the ZL205A alloy-infiltrated SiC foam ceramic composites were investigated. The hardness (HV) and flexural strength of the composites are 1276 MPa and 415 MPa, respectively. The wear resistance of the composites was also investigated. The results demonstrate that the addition of ceramic reinforcing phase can effectively transform the severe adhesive wear and spalling wear of the matrix phase into lighter abrasive wear, which greatly improves the friction and wear properties of the composites.