Processing and Characterization of Dual Metallic Dual Carbide Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

This research article dealt the physical characterization of the three successful reactive melt infiltrated ceramic matrix composites, especially on microstructural evolution, and phase relationships through ternary and quaternary diagrams. This work is a part of a research task on aiming the enhancement of fracture toughness of the ceramic composite material for the nuclear protection for human in defense application. ceramic composites were processed by smelting the aluminium–silicon alloy at two distinct Si compositions (25% Si, 35% Si); and infiltrated these Al-Si alloys into B₄C pre-forms at different feasible temperatures (1300 °C and 1200 °C). Eventually, three distinct, successfully infiltrated composites of A, B, and C were chosen, polished, cut as two halves; where one half was divided into top, middle, and bottom longitudinal sections. Their elemental distribution was identified through energy dispersive SEM/EDS. The amounts of each crystalline phase and individual element in the proportions of the composites were measured through the volumetric fraction method and quantitative XRD methods by employing standards for phase quantification. An isothermal Al-Si-B₄C ternary phase diagram and Al-Si-B-C quaternary phase diagram were composed for the detailed study of the process. The proportion of each composite was plotted as inferred, which illustrated the dual carbides (B₄C and SiC) in each composite.