STUDY ON PREPARING Al2O3 PARTICLES REINFORCED ZL109 COMPOSITE BY IN SITU REACTION OF Fe2O3/Al SYSTEM

Abstract

Al 2 O 3 particles reinforced ZL109 composite was prepared by in situ reaction between Fe 2 O 3 and Al . The phases were identified by XRD and the microstructures were observed by SEM and TEM. The Al 2 O 3 particles in sub-micron size distribute uniformly in the matrix and Fe displaced from the in situ reaction forms net-like alloy phases with Cu , Ni , Al , Mn ect. The hardness and the tensile strength at room temperature of the composites have a small increase compared with the matrix. However, the tensile strength at 350°C can reach 92.18 MPa, which is 18.87 MPa higher than that of the matrix. The mechanism of the reaction in the Fe 2 O 3/ Al system was studied by DSC. The reaction between Fe 2 O 3 and Al involves two steps. The first step in which Fe 2 O 3 reacts with Al to form FeO and Al 2 O 3 takes place at the matrix alloy melting temperature. The second step in which FeO reacts with Al to form Fe and Al 2 O 3 takes place at a higher temperature.