Fabrication of Aluminum Alloy Composites Reinforced with SiC whisker an $Al_2O_3-SiO_2$ Short Fiber by Squeeze Casting

용탕단조에 의한 $Al_2O_3-SiO_2$ 단섬유 및 SiC whisker강화 알루미늄 합금기 복합재료의 제조

SiC whisker and $Al_2O_3-SiO_2$ short fiber reinforced AC8A, AC8B and AC8B(J) marix composites were fabricated by squeeze casting method. Preform deformation, change of reinforcement volumefraction and formation of macro-segregation in two composites were investigated by using micro Vickers hardness test, analysis of macro and micro structures with OM, SEM and EDAX. $Al_2O_3-SiO_2$ short fiber preform manufactured with 5% $SiO_2$ binder in this study was considerably deformed and cracked, nevertheless, the short fibers were distributed homogeneously in the composites. In SiC whisker reinforced composites, on the other hand, preform deforming and cracking were not occurred, however, macro segregation zone formed along the infiltration routes by interface reaction during infiltration of molten metal into the preform was observed at center-low area in the composites. The decrease of hardness in the macro segregation zone resulted from the depletion of Si and Mg atoms.