Prepararion of Al2O3 ceramic matrix in-situ composites by reactive melt penetration

Abstract

Reactive metal penetration is a novel method for the preparation of A1,03/Al matrix composites . In metal matrix in -situ composites generally the reinforcing phase is produced by chemical reaction in the molten matrix phase . However, in the reactive metal infiltration process the matrix phase , viz. Al_03 is produced in-situ by chemical reaction between SiO, and molten aluminium, SiO, + Al = A1,,03 + Si The paper deals with the preparation of the in-situ composite and its microstructural features. The method offers the possibility of producing net-shape or near net-shape composites.