Improvement of the bonding interface in hybrid fiber/particle preform reinforced Al matrix composite

The bonding interface between the reinforcement and the matrix alloy in hybrid AZS fiber/SiC particle preform based aluminum metal matrix composites (Al MMCs) has been investigated as a function of reinforced particle size and the binder content. It is observed that high binder and large particle will result in a poor bonding interface. This has deleterious effects on the mechanical properties of the cast MMCs. Estimation of the binder thickness indicates that there exists a critical particle size above which the particles are not appropriate to be used in fabricating the hybrid fiber/particle preform based MMCs. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved