Creep Behavior of Powder Metallurgy SiC-Al Composites

The creep properties of powder metallurgy (PM) discontinuous SiC-Al alloys (whisker and particulate) and their Al matrices have been the subject of many studies recently that have aimed not only at assessing the potential of the PM SiC-Al alloys for use as high temperature materials but also at identifying the origin creep strengthening in such materials. As a result of these studies, several sets of experimental results are now available. This paper reviews some of the results. Emphasis is placed on the identification of issues related to early work and on efforts made recently to clarify them. In addition, recent developments regarding the roles played by SiC particulates and the Al alloy matrix during the creep of a PM SiC-Al composite are discussed.