Interfacial reactions in K₂Ti₆O_13(w)/Al₂O₃/Al composite

Abstract

A pure Al matrix composite, reinforced by potassium titanate whiskers coated with sol–gel alumina, was fabricated by squeeze casting. Good interface bonding was achieved in the coated composite. Interfacial reactions in the composite were found to be less severe than those in an uncoated composite, owing to the barrier effect of sol–gel -Al₂O₃ coating. After the composite was thermally exposed at 530°C for 30 h, the alumina coating still restrained the decomposition of the whisker structure, and thus prevented a decrease in the strength of the composite. However, after a thermal exposure at 700°C for 10 h, the coating was no longer held on whisker surfaces. Mechanical testing showed that tensile fracturing of the coated composite tended to occur at the coating/matrix interface where the interfacial bonding is weaker than at the coating/whisker interface.