Machining and fluidity of 356Al/SiC(p) composites

The fluidity and machining of 365A1/0-20 wt.% SiC composites is discussed. Experimental result shows that non-uniformity arises when the content of the particulate reinforcement is increased. Using an are fluidity mold can prevent particulates from settling, and the fluidity length is shortened with an increase of SiC particulate content. When using a spiral mold. SiC particulates tend to settle in the gate and the runner. Therefore. the fluidity length does not change with a SiC particulate content, except for 20%. Increasing the SiC particulate content results in an increase of hardness. flank wear and roughness. When the SiC particulate content is the same, cutting at cryogenic temperature can reduce the chip length, flank wear and roughness. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.