On the Squeeze Casting Conditions of Aluminum Matrix Composite Materials

Abstract

The various features of squeeze casting are first described and discussed. The effect of the squeeze casting conditions on the impregnation of fibrous ceramic pre forms by light alloys has been approached by using a suitable model with continuous aligned fibers. The processing parameters influencing the impregnated length and the re quired squeeze casting pressure have been pointed out. According to the modelling and taking into account the capillary effect, the numerical computation of the general equa tions of heat and fluid flows with specified boundary conditions emphasized the parame ters which predominantly control the processing technique: mainly the preform tempera ture, the reinforcement volume fraction, the impregnation speed and the wettability of the ceramic fibers by the liquid aluminum alloys.