Processing of continuous-ceramic-fiber-reinforced intermetallic composites by pressure casting

Said Nourbakhsh, Harold Margolin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pressure casting because of its flexibility and greater promise for economy compared with other composite-processing routes is being extensively used to fabricate low temperature composites. A pressure-casting apparatus has been developed which allowed, for the first time, the fabrication of fiber-reinforced high temperature composite materials. A series of Ni3Al, TiAl and Fe3Al composites, unidirectionally reinforced with either DuPont's fiber FP (Al2O3) or PRD-166 (Al2O320wt.%ZrO2) continuous fibers which were 20 μm in diameter, have been produced. Optical and transmission electron microscopy have been employed to characterize the microstructure. In the case of nickel and iron aluminides it was found necessary to add a small amount (0.5-1 at.%) of a strong oxide former such as titanium, yttrium or zirconium to improve wetting and therefore to achieve complete infiltration. This paper will focus on the fiber-matrix bonding, and the nature and the extent of fiber-matrix reaction in these composites. Mechanical testing indicated that reinforcing Ni3Al with PRD-166 fibers resulted in a twofold increase in specific modulus and a fivefold increase in strength.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)133-141
Number of pages9
JournalMaterials Science and Engineering A
Volume144
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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