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Morphology and growth mechanism of alumina whiskers in aluminum-based metal matrix composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Y-F. Li
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
C-D. Qin
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
D. H. L. Ng
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract

A process has been invented for growing alumina (Al2O3) whiskers in the matrix of the aluminum-based metal matrix composite by the internal oxidation reaction between aluminum (Al) and molybdenum oxide (MoO3) at 850 °C. The whiskers were formed during the firing stage and distributed uniformly throughout the metal matrix. The fractional volume of the whiskers was about 30%, and their average size was 1 μm in diameter and 10 μm in length. The growth mechanism of the Al2O3 whiskers was studied. It was found that the nutrient for the growth of the whiskers was supplied from the molten Al at the base of the whiskers where they reacted with MoO3 forming the Al2O3 whiskers and the Al–Mo intermetallic phases.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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