Loughborough University
Browse
FIB TEM paper.pdf (1.33 MB)

Interface study by dual-beam FIB-TEM in a pressureless infiltrated Al(Mg)–Al2O3 interpenetrating composite

Download (1.33 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2009-02-06, 10:28 authored by H. Chan, Rebecca HigginsonRebecca Higginson, J.G.P. Binner
This paper considers the microstructures of an Al(Mg)/Al2O3 interpenetrating composite produced by a pressureless infiltration technique. It is well known that the governing principle in pressureless infiltration in Al/Al2O3 system is the wettability between the molten metal and the ceramic phase; however, the infiltration mechanism is still not well understood. The objective of this research was to observe the metal / ceramic interface to understand the infiltration mechanism better. The composite was produced using an Al-8wt.% Mg alloy and 15% dense alumina foams at 915°C in a flowing N2 atmosphere. After infiltration, the composite was characterized by a series of techniques. Thin film samples, specifically produced across the Al(Mg)-Al2O3 interface, were prepared using a Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and subsequently observed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). XRD scan analysis shows that Mg3N2 formed in the foam at the molten alloy-ceramic infiltration front whilst TEM analysis revealed that fine AlN grains formed at the metal / ceramic interface and MgAl2O4 and MgSi2 grains formed at specific points. It is concluded that it is the reactions between the Al, Mg and N2 atmosphere that improve the wettability between molten Al and Al2O3 and induce spontaneous infiltration.

History

School

  • Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Department

  • Materials

Citation

CHAN, H., HIGGINSON, R.L. and BINNER, J.G.P., 2009. Interface study by dual-beam FIB-TEM in a pressureless infiltrated Al(Mg)–Al2O3 interpenetrating composite. Journal of Microscopy, 233(1), pp.132-139.

Publisher

© Blackwell Publishing

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publication date

2009

Notes

This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Blackwell Publishing for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in the Journal of Microscopy [© Blackwell Publishing] and is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2818.2008.03103.x

ISSN

0022-2720

Language

  • en

Usage metrics

    Loughborough Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC