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Microstructural analysis of Al alloys dispersed with TiB 2 particulate for MMC applications
Author(s) -
X Wang,
Rik Brydson,
A. Jha,
Jonathan D. Ellis
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2818.1999.00620.x
Subject(s) - materials science , aluminium , microstructure , alloy , dispersion (optics) , metallurgy , metal , ceramic , molten salt , phase (matter) , fluoride , context (archaeology) , matrix (chemical analysis) , composite material , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , paleontology , physics , organic chemistry , optics , biology
A dispersion of TiB 2 particulates in an Al alloy matrix was formed via the in‐situ reaction between mixtures of K 2 TiF 6 (K 2 ZrF 6 ), KBF 4 and molten aluminium. The dispersion of the ceramic phase in the aluminium matrix was also achieved in some experiments by adding exogenous TiB 2 particles to the fluoride melt in contact with molten aluminium. In this work, we have examined the microstructure of the as‐cast metal matrix composites using analytical electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The phases formed as a result of the reaction between the molten fluoride flux and liquid aluminium have been identified. These were (Ti, Zr, Al)B 2 , Al 3 Ti and possibly AlB 12 in the Al‐matrix, and KAlF 4 and KMgF 3 in the solidified flux. The mechanism of formation of TiB 2 and Al 3 Ti is explained. The role of alloying elements is also explained in the context of interfacial chemistry and dispersion.