Al alloy/Ti 3 SiC 2 composites fabricated by pressureless infiltration with melt-spun Al alloy ribbons

Abstract Al alloy/Ti 3 SiC 2 composites with compressive strengths ranging from 743 to 932 MPa have been successfully fabricated by a new two-step pressureless infiltration method. 6061 Al alloy ribbons prepared by melt spinning were employed as the Al alloy matrix for melt infiltration. Shifts in phase constitution and reaction mechanisms of Ti 3 SiC 2 preforms in molten Al at 950 °C were investigated, and the compression performance of Al alloy/Ti 3 SiC 2 composites was tested. The Vickers hardness of the composites was enhanced to a maximum of 751 HV by increasing the Al content.