Effect of NiO coating of whisker on tensile strength of aluminum borate whisker-reinforced aluminum composite

After NiO coating of aluminum borate whisker, the whisker-reinforced aluminum composite was fabricated by the squeeze casting technique. The effects of surface coating on the interface reaction and microstructure of the composite were investigated using transmission electronic microscope. The results indicate that the NiO on the whisker surface can react with the aluminum matrix during T4 treatment, and the degree of the reaction increases with the T4 treatment time increasing. The interfacial reaction affects obviously the tensile strength of the composite, and the suitable degree of the interfacial reaction can be found for the ultimate tensile strength.