Microstructure and interfacial reactions of β-eucryptite particles in aluminum matrix composites

It has been found that aluminum matrix composites reinforced by β-eucryptite particles and aluminum borate whiskers exhibit much lower coefficient of thermal expansion and higher strength. In the present study, the interfacial reactions of β-eucryptite particles in aluminum matrix composites with different matrices were investigated. The interfacial reaction products on the surface of β-eucryptite particles and the temperature of the reaction were identified; the chemical reaction formulas were put forward to interpret the reactions between eucryptite and Al and the alloying element Mg.