Abstract
During infiltration of a fiber preform by a binary hypoeutectic alloy, solid metal can form in the composite because of cooling at the fibers or at the mold wall. Contrary to the case of an unalloyed matrix, temperature, composition, and fraction solid may vary in the composite. This results in macrosegregation and microstructural heterogeneity within the composite casting. It is shown that solid metal that forms because of cooling at the fibers grows gradually behind the infiltration front, while the local temperature increases. Metal superheat, when present, serves to progressively remelt solid metal in the composite during infiltration and increases compositional and microstructural heterogeneity within the composite. General expressions are derived to describe heat, mass, and fluid flow during the infiltration process. In the case of unidirectional adiabatic infiltration driven by a constant applied pressure, a similarity method can be used to reduce the mathematical complexity of the problem. Numerical solution of the resulting equations then allows us to predict temperature, fraction solid, and composition profiles within the composite. With the further assumption of negligible thermal conduction, the problem lends itself to an analytical solution. The analysis is performed for the case of unidirectional adiabatic infiltration under constant applied pressure of 24 vol pct δ-alumina preforms by Al-4.5 wt pct Cu. Results indicate that there is significant latitude for control of macro-segregation and microstructure within cast fiber-reinforced alloys.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
A. Mortensen, L.J. Masur, J.A. Cornie, and M.C. Flemings:Metall. Trans. A, 1989, vol. 20A, pp. 2535–47.
S. Nagata and K. Matsuda:IMONO, 1981, vol. 53, pp. 300–04.
S. Nagata and K. Matsuda:Trans. Jpn. Foundrymen’s Soc., 1983, vol. 2, pp. 616–20.
H. Fukunaga: inCast Reinforced Metal Composites, Proc. Conf., Chicago, IL, 1988, S.G. Fishman and A.K. Dhingra, eds., ASM INTERNATIONAL, Metals Park, OH, 1988, pp. 101–07.
H. Fukunaga and K. Goda:J. Jpn. Inst. Met., 1985, vol. 49, pp. 78–83.
H. Fukunaga and K. Goda:Bull. JSME, 1984, vol. 27, pp. 1245–50.
L.J. Masur, A. Mortensen, J.A. Cornie, and M.C. Flemings:Metall. Trans. A, 1989, vol. 20A, pp. 2549–57.
Experimental work by L.J. Masur, cited by J.A. Cornie, A. Mortensen, and M.C. Flemings:Proc. 6th Int. Conf. on Composite Materials (ICCM 6), F.L. Matthews, N.C.R. Buskell, J.M. Hodgkinson, and J. Morton, eds., Elsevier, London, 1987, pp. 2.297–2.319.
T.W. Clyne and J.F. Mason:Metall. Trans. A, 1987, vol. 18A, pp. 1519–30.
M.C. Flemings:Solidification Processing, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 1974, pp. 219–24.
L.J. Masur, A. Mortensen, J.A. Cornie, and M.C. Flemings:Proc. 6th Int. Conf. on Composite Materials (ICCM 6), F.L. Matthews, N.C.R. Buskell, J.M. Hodgkinson, and J. Morton, eds., Elsevier, London, 1987, pp. 2.320–2.329.
A. Mortensen, J.A. Cornie, and M.C. Flemings:Metall. Trans. A, 1988, vol. 19A, pp. 709–21.
M.C. Flemings:Solidification Processing, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 1974, pp. 142–43.
M.C. Flemings and G.E. Nereo:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1967, vol. 239, pp. 1449–61.
F.B. Hildebrand:Advanced Calculus for Applications, 1st ed., Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1962, p. 94.
Metals Handbook, 8th ed., ASM, Metals Park, OH, 1973, vol. 8, p. 259.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mortensen, A., Michaud, V. Infiltration of fiber preforms by a binary alloy: Part I. Theory. Metall Trans A 21, 2059–2072 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02647253
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02647253