Interfacial reaction and tensile strength of copper-coated Al18B4O33 whisker reinforced 6061Al composite

To control the interfacial reaction in aluminum borate whisker reinforced 6061Al composite, copper was coated on the whisker surface using an electroless plating technique. The pure whisker reinforced and copper-coated whisker reinforced 6061Al composites were fabricated by squeeze-casting method. The interfacial reactions and the ultimate tensile strengths of the composites were studied after solution treatment at 490 °C for different time. The results indicate that the solution treatment has great influence upon the interfacial reactions and the ultimate tensile strengths of the composites. The interfacial reaction in the composites reinforced by copper-coated whisker takes place mainly between the coating and 6061Al matrix, and the ultimate tensile strengths of the composites are enhanced greatly by the coating. In addition, the solution treatment can improve further the ultimate tensile strength of the composite with coated whisker.