Abstract
TiCpowders have been spontaneously infiltrated by molten Al with the aid of a K-Al-Fflux. The fluxdissolves the oxide film on the surface of molten Al, facilitating wetting between ‘clean’ Al and TiC particle surfaces, enabling liquid to be rapidly drawn into the network of TiC particles by capillary forces. The resulting master alloy was readily incorporated and dispersedinto molten Al, Cu, and Mg, indicative that the additive was readily wetted by all three molten metals and that the particles in the additive were not joined together by strong bonds. The use of a flux to facilitate cleaning of TiC, dissolution of Al in the meltand the avoidance of direct contactbetween TiC and melt surface oxides, all contribute to improved wetting. The slightly poorer quality of the particle distribution and the lowest yield in the Cu based alloy, suggest that wetting is worst in this system.
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