DEVELOPMENT OF Al-Ti-C POROUS STRUCTURES FOR REINFORCING ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITES
Anna Dmitruk, Krzysztof Naplocha
Quarterly No. 3, 2022 pages 172-177
DOI:
keywords: Al-Ti-C, preform, SHS synthesis, microwave, metal matrix composite, MAX phase
abstract Open-porous preforms from Al-Ti-C compounds were successfully ignited and synthesized by combustion synthesis in a microwave field. The reaction course and the temperature were remarkably affected by the preparation method and molar ratio of the substrates, as well as the position of the green sample in the microwave field generated by a single mode microwave reactor. The manufactured structures were characterized by SEM investigations. The addition of aluminum powder to the mixture moderates the reaction and temperature variations, allowing the course of synthesis in explosive mode to be avoided. Among the reported developed materials the following can be distinguished: Ti-Al intermetallics, titanium carbides and MAX phases belonging to the Ti-Al-C system. The prepared and selected Al-Ti-C preforms were subsequently infiltrated with an AlSi12 aluminum alloy by the squeeze casting method. The composite materials exhibit a relatively homogeneous microstructure with low residual porosity and a good reinforcement/matrix interface.