WATER RESISTANCE OF COMPOSITION MATERIALS BASED ON ALUMINUM-ALLOYS WITH A SILICON-NITRIDE HARDENING PHASE

Composition materials based on aluminum with a reinforcing phase forme d from refractory compounds are characterized by low density and high strength, hardness, and wear resistance. This paper addresses the prop erties of composition materials produced by the pressure infiltration of a metal into a highly porous body formed from reaction-sintered sil icon nitride. The results of friction and wear tests of composition ma terials based on different aluminum alloys are presented. Use of a new type of ceramic makes it possible to regulate the makeup of the compo sition material within broad ranges, and to manufacture reinforcing in serts of the required shape.