A Study on Wetting Behaviors of Al-Coated $SiC_f$ Composite

Al-$SiC_f$ 복합재료에서 보강재의 coating처리가 젖음성에 미치는 영향

SiC fibers were coated with Cu, Ag and Ni metallic thin films by magnetron sputtering in order to improve wetting properties between Al matrix and SiC fiber. The wetting behavior of metal coated SiC fiber by pure Al has been studied at $670^{\circ}C{\sim}900^{\circ}C$ range for $10{\sim}90min$. under vacuum atmosphere. Besides, the effect of coated film thickness on the wettability has been investigated. The wetting behavior and interfacial reaction between Al and SiC fibers were analysed with optical microscope and SEM (scanning electron microscope). The wetting behavior of the as-received SiC fiber with Al melt was not uniform, indicated by the contact angles from less than $90^{\circ} to more Al melt was appeared in the initial stage of reation. It was considered that the metallic thin film played an important role in reducing the interfacial free energy and breaking down the aluminum oxide film by eutectic reaction with Al melt. However the wettability of Ni coated SiC fiber was not improved as much as that of Cu or Ag coated SiC fiber. The improvement of wettability by coating thickness is clearly showed in $1{\mu}m$ coated SiC fiber compared with $0.25{\mu}m$ coated SiC.