Fabrication, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Ti p/Al Composite

• Published in: Advanced engineering materials 2003-10, Vol.5 (10), p.725-729
• Main Authors: Cui, C, Shen, Y, Li, Y, Sun, J, Kong, S-B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1438-1656

Traditionally, MMCs have been produced by processing techniques such as powder metallurgy, preform infiltration, spray deposition, mechanical alloying, and various casting technologies, such as squeeze casting, rheocasting, and compocasting. Such methods are based on the addition of the particulate reinforcement to the matrix material in molten or power form. The scale of the reinforcing phase is limited by the starting-power size, which is typically of the order of microns to tens of microns, and rarely less than 1 mum. In recent years, new processing techniques based on in situ production of MMCs have emerged. In situ techniques involve a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of a very fine and thermodynamically stable reinforcing ceramic phase within a metal matrix. As a result, this provides thermodynamic compatibility at the matrix-reinforcement interface. The reinforcement surfaces are also likely to be free of contamination and, therefore, a stronger matrix-dispersion bond can be achieved.