Volcanic ceramics in sintered metal matrix composites - microstructure research

Abstract

This paper describes metal matrix composites reinforced with particles and with dispersion, and presents the most important materials used as a reinforcement of the metal matrix. A new material, called volcanic tuff, that could be used as a strengthening of metal composites has been characterized. The methods of producing metal matrix composites, reinforced of volcanic tuff have been presented. The matrix was made of such materials like copper, iron and stainless steel 316L. The paper presents the microstructure of sintered metal composites with varying degrees of tuff participation. The volume of tuff composites was 5, 15 and 30%. The results of X-ray microanalysis of connections of tuff particles with matrix have also been shown. The results have shown that a suitable tuff processing method and inserting it in an optimal amount results in improvement of some properties of the material such as, softening temperature or porosity. This is shown in the example of copper and tuff composites. Tuff is a material that could be used for reinforcement of metal composites. It has been shown A very good connection of metal matrix and tuff particles has been shown. At the border tuff - metal matrix there were no discontinuities. By using powder metallurgy technology, it is possible to obtain a uniform distribution of ceramic particles in the metal