Structure properties of AlSi7Mg/SiC composite produced by stir casting method

The paper presents the structure studies on composites of aluminum alloy matrix with addition of silicon carbide phase (from 5 to 15 vol.% SiC and 10 vol.% SiC + 10 vol.% graphite) obtained by the stir casting method. The aim of this work is to determine the influence of the SiC content and electrical discharge machining processes on the phase composition, microstructure, and values of residual stresses. In order to determine the heterogeneity of the obtained materials, the X-ray diffraction analysis was performed in different sample orientations to the direction of the X-ray beam (perpendicular and parallel), using different geometries (the Bragg-Brentano and grazing incident X-ray diffraction). This work presents the results of the residual stress analysis in the tested composites generated by various content of SiC additives. Residual stresses were determined by both of the sin² φ and g - sin² φ X-ray methods. Obtained results shown the significant gradient of residual stress in all cases.