Method for preparing aluminum matrix composite using no pressure infiltration

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for preparing an aluminum matrix composite by infiltrating aluminum into a preform within a short period of time without a pressurization configuration using a special device as compared to the existing pressure infiltration method. According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is a method for preparing an aluminum matrix composite using pressureless infiltration, the method including: preparing a preform formed of a mixture of raw powders capable of forming ceramic through a combustion synthesis reaction; immersing the preform in an aluminum melt, in which a part of the preform is exposed to an external environment without being immersed in the aluminum melt; and infiltrating molten aluminum into the preform while causing a combustion synthesis reaction in the preform.

1 . A method for preparing an aluminum matrix composite using pressureless infiltration, the method comprising:
 preparing a preform formed of a mixture of raw powders capable of forming ceramic through a combustion synthesis reaction;   immersing the preform in an aluminum melt, in which a part of the preform is exposed to an external environment without being immersed in the aluminum molten metal; and   infiltrating molten aluminum into the preform while causing a combustion synthesis reaction in the preform.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infiltrating of the molten aluminum further comprises allowing the preform to be ignited. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 immersing the entire preform in the aluminum melt after the infiltrating of the molten aluminum.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of raw powders is any one of a mixture of Ti and B 4 C powders, a mixture of Al, B 2 O 3 , and C, a mixture of Al, B 2 O 3 , and TiO 2 , a mixture of Ti and C, a mixture of Al, TiO 2 , and C, a mixture of Al, Ti, and B 2 O 3 , and a mixture of Al, TiO 2 , and B 4 C. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of raw powders further comprises an aluminum powder in an excessive amount in addition to a stoichiometric amount required for a combustion synthesis reaction among the raw powders constituting the mixture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mixture of raw powders further comprises an activating powder capable of causing an exothermic reaction with aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the activating powder comprises one or more of a copper oxide, a manganese oxide, an iron oxide, and a nickel oxide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in order to induce a partial combustion synthesis reaction, a non-metallic raw powder among the raw powders constituting the mixture is added in the mixture of raw powders in an excessive amount equal to or more than a stoichiometric amount required for the combustion synthesis reaction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of raw powders further comprises a stable compound powder which does not participate in the combustion synthesis reaction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stable compound comprises one or more of B 4 C, SiC, TiC, and Al 2 O 3 . 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a temperature of the aluminum melt is in a range of 750° C. to 950° C.