Study of the Enhanced Precipitation of an Aluminium 6061 Alloy Reinforced by SiC Particles in the Range of β\" Phase Temperature (RESEARCH NOTE)

An experimental method to follow the evolution of the precipitation phenomena in the metal-matrix composites using the thermoelectric power measurements is described. It is shown that one can follow the kinetics of the precipitation during aging. The influence of the reinforcement on the precipitation kinetics is studied in case of an aluminum 6061- SiC, composite (where SiC, represents SiC particles). The precipitation kinetics are accelerated in the case of the reinforced composite with respect to the unreinforced matrix. The variation of the microhardness of the specimens is also recorded during aging.