Preliminary investigations on the use of preceramic polymers to produce metal matrix composites, via powder metallurgy techniques

Ceramic-reinforced metal matrix composites were produced by means of preceramic polymers, as precursors for the ceramic phase and powders of the metal alloy. The use of preceramic polymers as precursors for a reinforcing ceramic phase in metallic components represents a well known technique to produce 3d interpenetrating composites . However it was poorly investigated so far, the use of preceramic polymers in powder metallurgy. Only few results were published in the literature, concerning the use of polycarbosilane in Ti or Fe-Cr alloy. In the present work the use of a polysiloxanes (as precursor for a SiOC reinforcing and /or reacting phase) dispersed within a metal matrix is investigated. Powders of alloys of commercial interest (i.e. Al12Si, Ti6Al4V) were investigated and the properties of the produced composites were compared to the pure alloys, produced via a similar technique.