INTERFACIAL MODIFICATION IN METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES BY THE SOL-GEL PROCESS

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Abstract
Detailed examination of thermodynamic and kinetic data suggest that it should be possible to develop an interfacial barrier coating which promotes wetting of metal matrix composite reinforcements, while simultaneously reducing deleterious interfacial chemical interactions. The current study has examined the feasibility of developing a procedure to coat graphite reinforcements with a thin, crack-free, protective oxide layer. Emphasis in this investigation being placed on sol-gel, TiO2, coated PAN 650/42 graphite for inclusion in an aluminum metal matrix. Initially, the effect of the sol-gel composition and coating procedure on the coating uniformity, structure, and thickness were investigated. These procedures were then utilized for graphite fiber coating, with the coated fiber preforms being subsequently infiltrated by pure liquid aluminum. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis, optical and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that no reaction occurred at the TiO2 -C interface, while chemical wetting and formation of a mixed (Al, Ti)O2 oxide occurred at the TiO2-Al interface.