Infiltration and solidification of commercial purity aluminium matrix composites

The thermal evolution within metal matrix composites during the infiltration stage of the casting process is of importance in determining their final microstructure and mechanical properties, the temperature and extent of solidification of the matrix post infiltration having a marked effect on the subsequent final solidification of the composite. In this work infiltration cast composites with a commercially pure aluminium matrix have been studied both experimentally and theoretically in terms of the temperature development during both casting and subsequent solidification. Using this approach the final micro and macro structures of these materials can be linked directly to the processing conditions, the resultant matrix temperatures and the presence of solid matrix formed during the infiltration process.