Application of Pressureless Infiltration Technique for Processing and Characterizing Properties of 3-3 Al(Mg)/ZrO sub(2) Composites

3-3 Al(Mg)/ZrO sub(2) composites based on Al-Mg alloy reinforced by ceramic interpenetrating network structure were fabricated via pressureless infiltration technology. Infiltration temperature and infiltration atmosphere are the key parameters distinctly effecting on infiltration processes. The composites were produced at atmospheric pressure by infiltrating 2-10 wt% magnesium content Al-Mg alloys into 25 % dense ZrO sub(2) foams with highly interconnected porosity. The processing parameters of temperature greater than or equal to 890 degree C, and atmosphere, flowing N sub(2)-Ar, were investigated to determine the processing window. Moreover, the increasing of Mg content (2-10 wt%) resulted in an increased amount of infiltration. The observation of the process shows that infiltration is faster at higher temperatures and N sub(2) partial pressures. Both optical and scanning electron microscopy have been used to characterize the composites. Electrical conductivity of composite reduces with increasing of Mg content in matrix and volume fraction of reinforcement. The use of ZrO sub(2) preform with low cell size in composite results in the increase in hardness of Al-Mg/ZrO sub(2) composite.