The squeeze infiltration process for fabrication of metal-matrix composites

Abstract

This article relates to the fabrication of metal-matrix composites by the injection of liquid metal into a fibrous preform under an applied pressure. An analysis is presented describing the elastic deformation, fracture behavior, and melt infiltration characteristics of an assembly of fibers in an approximately planar random array. The predictions of a finite difference model describing the heat flow and solidification in the system are also examined. The predictions from the modeling are found to be broadly consistent with various types of experimental observation made with aluminum-based melts and fine δ alumina fibers. A number of microstructural features are examined and several recommendations put forward concerning optimization of microstructurevia control of processing parameters.