Abstract
The influence of TiO2/Al ratio on the reaction path between TiO2 and molten aluminum has been investigated, pressure casting being employed to infiltrate preforms of TiO2 whiskers of average length 6 μm and mean diameter 0.7 μm with molten aluminum. Fully reacted Al2O3 reinforced Al + Al3Ti and Al2O3 reinforced Al3Ti + Al2Ti composites, as well as partially reacted TiO2 + (Al,Ti)2O3 reinforced Al composites, were produced by varying the initial preform temperature from 600 to 850°C, the temperature of the melt from 750 to 850°C, as well as the post-infiltration cooling rate. Two different TiO2/Al ratios, equivalent to 25 and 35 vol.-%TiO2, were investigated. It was found that the reaction path depends upon the TiO2/Al ratio, leading to the formation of Al2O3 + Al3Ti at 25 vol.-%TiO2 and Al2O3 + Al3Ti + Al2Ti at 35 vol.-%TiO2.
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