SiC/Al-5.3Cu-0.8Mg-0.6Al-0.5Mn heat resistant aluminum matrix composites with volume fraction of 50% SiC were prepared by squeezing-infiltration method.The effects of high volume fraction SiC particle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy have been investigated.The results show that high volume fraction SiC particle can greatly improve the aging hardening and tensile strength of the composites

where the tensile strength of the composites can be increased from 356 MPa to 520 MPa with peaking aging at 185 ℃.The SiC/Al-5.3Cu-0.8Mg-0.6Al-0.5Mn heat resistant aluminum matrix composites possesses a compact and uniformly distributed microstructure

and its fracture mode is characterized by the boundary separation

toughness fracture of the matrix and particle crack.Although the high volume fraction SiC particle can not affect the aging precipitation process of the matrix alloy

in which the precipitate is composed of Ω phase and minor θ’ phase

the interfacial reaction between SiC particle and matrix alloy can be observed to create nano-scale Al4C3 phase.