Sintering Ni/SiC composites from NiO
Ni composites, NiO, SiC, powder metallurgy
Metal matrix composites reinforced by carbide particles are promising engineering materials as a result of a combination of mechanical, corrosion and wear resistance at high service temperatures. However, the toxicity of Ni impairs the use of its powder. Alternatively, NiO can be used as starting material and be reduced during processing of the composite. The present study aimed at the production of Ni-SiC composites from NiO-SiC mixtures. The effect of the pressing load on the dilatometric behavior of the mixtures was investigated. NiO powders with average particle size 14 µm were mixed (0, 3, 10 and 20 wt.%) with SiC of average particle size 14.75 µm and attrition-milled during 1 h. The mixtures were then granulated using 1.5 wt.% paraffin in hexane solution and uniaxially pressed under 200 MPa or 400 MPa. The cylindrical pellets were then sintered in a dilatometer at heating rates of 5 ºC or 10 ºC/min. The density of the sintered samples was evaluated according to the combination of pressing load and dilatometric profile. The results revealed that homogenous NiO-SiC mixtures could be produced. Pellets pressed under 400 MPA depicted higher density. Sintering at 5 /C/min heating rate resulted in improved densification. The addition of 10 wt. % of SiC in the Ni matrix allowed the hardening with greater microstructural homogeneity and better continuity of the matrix, presented higher hardness and surface dense value, proved by SEM images.