A STUDY OF THE INTERACTION OF CONTINUOUS BETA-SIC FIBERS WITH MOLTEN ALUMINUM AND AL-SI ALLOYS

X-Ray diffraction and electron probe analyses, optical, scanning and t ransmission electron microscopy were used for studying the kinetics of the processes of interaction between beta-SiC fibers and molten alumi num and Al-Si alloys in the temperature range 700 to 900 degrees C. Th e reaction zone was found to contain both silicon and aluminum. Kineti c curves reflecting the variation of the interaction parameters were p lotted. The interaction between the matrix and fibers at 900 degrees C was found to become more active on introducing 3 to 7% Si into the ma trix alloy. a model is proposed for describing the mechanism of intera ction of aluminum and Al-Si alloys with beta-SiC fibers.