An Experimental Investigation on Infiltration Limit and the Mechanical Properties of Al2O3 Short Fiber Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated by Squeeze Casting

Abstract

Melt infiltration of fibrous preforms is an attractive fabrication route for metal matrix composites. To understand infiltration limits in squeeze casting processes, experimental data are presented for injection of aluminum alloy-based melts into preforms of volume fraction 10%-23% which were composed of δ-alumina fiber with a silica binder. Base alloys used in this study were A16061, A17075, A12024, A1514.0, A356.0 and pure A1. The infiltration distance and deformation of fiber preforms were observed with variation to manufacturing parameters such as preform temperature, die temperature, applied pressure and molten metal temperature. Tensile strength and microstructures were also examined to investigate the effects of processing parameters on infiltration states.