Preparation of a Functionally Gradient Aluminum Alloy Metal Matrix Composite Using the Technique of Spray Deposition

The 6066Al/SiC(P) functionally gradient material (FGM) was successfully prepared via the spray deposition technique accompanied with an automatic control system. The results reveal that the SiC(P) weight fraction of the as-deposited preform from the top to the bottom ranges almost continuously from 0 to 30%. The part with the higher SiC(P) weight fraction exhibits a relatively smaller density than that with the lower SiC(P) weight fraction. However, the microhardness and the porosity increase with the increasing SiC(P) weight fraction in the as-deposited preform. The spray deposition technology is promising to produce a wide range of other FGMs.