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Ceramic-metal composite formation by reactive metal penetration

Conference ·
OSTI ID:410333
;  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Advanced Materials Lab.
Ceramic-metal composites can be made to near-net-shape by reactive penetration of dense ceramic preforms by molten metals. Reactive metal penetration is driven by a strongly negative Gibbs energy for reaction. For Al, the general form of the reaction is (x+2) Al + (3/y) MO[sub y] yields Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] + M[sub 3/y]Al[sub x], where MO[sub y] is an oxide that is wet by molten Al. In low PO[sub 2] atmospheres and at temperatures above about 900 degrees C, molten Al reduces mullite to produce Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] and Si. The Al/mullite reaction has a delta G[sub r] degree(927 degrees C) of -338 per mole of mullite and, for fully dense mullite, the theoretical volume change on reaction is less than 1%. Experiments with commercial mullite containing a silicate grain boundary phase average less than 2% volume change on reaction. In the Al/mullite system, reactive metal penetration produces a fine-grained alumina skeleton with an interspersed metal phase. With > or =15 vol.% excess aluminum, mutually interpenetrating ceramic-metal composites are produced. Properties measurements show that ceramic-metal composites produced by reactive metal penetration of mullite by Al have a Young`s modulus and hardness similar to that of Al[sub 2]O[sub 3], with improved fracture toughness. Other compositions also are candidates for in- situ reaction synthesis, but they exhibit differences in reaction kinetics, most probably due to different wetting behavior.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789; AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
410333
Report Number(s):
SAND--96-0818C; CONF-9609265--2; ON: DE96015316
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English