Ceramic foam-reinforced Al-based micro-composites

Aluminum–micro-cellular SiOC ceramic foams dense composites were prepared, in which the cell size was varied at a constant metal volume fraction and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Very limited interfacial reaction was observed between the ceramic and metal phases. A reduction of the pore former size from 50 to10 μm improved the Brinell hardness, the yield strength (>20%), the ultimate tensile strength (>60%) and the elongation tolerance of the composite (50%). This work shows the benefit of using micro-cellular ceramic foams for the production of metal matrix composites, as their larger (geometric) surface area, as compared to conventional open ceramic foams reinforcement, affords improved mechanical interlock and interfacial reaction with the metal phase.