CHARACTERIZATION OF THE WHISKER-MATRIX INTERFACIAL REACTIONS IN K2O-CENTER-DOT-6TIO(2) WHISKER-REINFORCED ALUMINUM-MATRIX COMPOSITES

The interfacial reaction at the whisker-matrix interface in a K2O . 6T iO(2)/6061Al composite was investigated by high-resolution transmissio n electron microscopy. Magnesium segregation and titanium enrichment a t the whisker-aluminium interface was revealed by energy-dispersive X- ray analysis. It was shown that TiO and MgTi2O4 layers and MgAl2O4 par ticles were formed at the whisker-aluminium interfaces in the composit e during the manufacturing of the composite. The thickening of the rea ction layer after T6 treatment may result in the decrease of the bendi ng strength of the composite. Specific orientation relationships betwe en MgTi2O4 and TiO, and also between TiO and K2O . 6TiO(2) whiskers we re also found.