Cu-30 vol% SiC composites with relatively densified microstructure and a sound interface between the Cu and SiC phases were obtained by pressureless sintering of PCS-coated SiC and Cu powders. The coated SiC powders were prepared by thermal curing and pyrolysis of PCS. Thermal curing at 200 oC was performed to fabricate infusible materials prior to pyrolysis. The cured powders were heated treated up to 1600 oC for the pyrolysis process and for the formation of SiC crystals on the surface of the SiC powders. XRD analysis revealed that the main peaks corresponded to the α-SiC phase; peaks for β-SiC were newly appeared. The formation of β-SiC is explained by the transformation of thermally-cured PCS on the surface of the initial α-SiC powders. Using powder mixtures of coated SiC powder, hydrogen-reduced Cu-nitrate, and elemental Cu powders, Cu-SiC composites were fabricated by pressureless sintering at 1000 oC. Microstructural observation for the sintered composites showed that the powder mixture of PCS-coated SiC and Cu exhibited a relatively dense and homogeneous microstructure. Conversely, large pores and separated interfaces between Cu and SiC were observed in the sintered composite using uncoated SiC powders. These results suggest that Cu-SiC composites with sound microstructure can be prepared using a PCS coated SiC powder mixture.

Sintered composites of Al-8wt%Cu-10vol%SiCp were deformed by repressing or equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) at room temperature, and . Repressing produced more densification than ECAP but resulted in much lower transverse rupture strengths. In both cases, deformation at room temperature and , resulted in much lower strengths than deformation at , and also caused the fracturing of some SiC particles. The higher bend strengths and less SiC fracturing at are attributable to the presence of an Al-Cu liquid phase during deformation. The employment of copper coated SiC instead of bare SiC particles for preparing the composites was found not improving the properties.

Effects of liquid phase and reinforcing particle morphology on the sintering of Al-6 wt％Cu-10 vol％ or SiC particles were studied in regards to densification, structure and transverse rupture properties. The Al-Cu liquid phase penetrated the boundaries between the aluminum matrix powders and the interfaces with reinforcing particles as well, indicating a good wettability to the powders. This enhanced the densification during sintering and the resulting strength and ductility. Since most of the copper added, however, was dissolved in the liquid phase and formed a brittle phase upon cooling rather than alloyed with the aluminum matrix, the strengthening effect by the copper was not fully realized. Reinforcing particles of agglomerate type were found less suitable for the liquid phase sintering than solid type particles. and SiC particles protluced little difference on the sintering behavior but their size had a large effect. Repressing of the sintered composites increased density and bending properties but caused debonding at the matrix-particle interfaces and also fracturing of the particles.