Squeeze casting of Ni coated SiC particle reinforced Al based composite

An investigation was carried out on the production of electroless Ni coated 20 vol% SiC particle reinforced composite by squeeze casting. The morphology of the coating, microstructural, interfacial, and mechanical properties of the composite were characterized by using an optical microscope, image analyzer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The evaluation of microstructure shows that the matrix phase exhibits a pore-free and dentritic structure, and particle segregation. Interfacial examinations indicate that electroless nickel coating has not degraded during the fabrication process and prevent the formation of Al4C3.