Synthesis of a nanophase, whisker-reinforced, ceramic/metal composite by electrochemical infiltration

A novel, nanophase metal-matrix composite sheet material has been synthesized. Nickel was infiltrated by electrodeposition into a “wool-like” mat of SiC whiskers that had been grown by chemical vapour deposition. Infiltration of nickel by d.c. plating, pulse plating, and the effects of a tin-palladium surface treatment of the SiC whiskers were evaluated. Pulse plating combined with the Sn-Pd treatment were effective in minimizing porosity. Compared to values for the unreinforced electrodeposited nickel, the hardness could be almost quadrupled and the wear rate decreased to approximately one sixth in a composite with ≈30 vol % whiskers.