Infiltration of molten aluminum into an aluminum borate whisker preform by squeeze casting

摘要

This work was performed to understandfundamental phenomena of the pressure infiltrationof molten aluminum into aluminum borate whiskerpreforms by squeeze casting. Alumina short fiberpreforms were also used to compare with aluminumborate whisker preforms. The pressure change andthe punch speed were measured during theinfiltration of molten aluminum into fibrouspreforms. The compressive deformation of preformsstarts during the infiltration from the pressurethat corresponds to the compressive strength ofthe preform. Then, the hardness distribution alonginfiltration direction in composites was measuredand the volume fraction distribution of whiskerswas obtained by the hardness distribution. Theexperimental results were discussed usingtheoretical analysis both with and without partialsolidification in the preform during infiltration.