Fabrication of Composite Materials Using Al Scrap and Wasted Glass

Abstract

Model experiments were performed for fabricating composite materials using Al scrap and waste glasses. Significance of the fabrication using the waste matters was discussed from an environmental point of view. Al alloy having composition of the Al scrap was melted and infiltrated into a soda-lime glass beads' bed by a vacuum process. Reaction layer was formed at the interface between the glass beads and the molten Al alloy. The layer thickness of 50 microns was obtained after 1 h reaction. The composite materials showed a strong bonding between the filler (the glass particles) and the matrix. Variation of the layer thickness was measured at various conditions of the reaction time and temperature. Distribution of the metal elements in the microstructure of the composite material was analyzed with SEM/EDX. It was shown that not only Si but also some elements were removed from the glass to the Al alloy matrix. Behaviors of the other elements were discussed, considering the thermodynamics. Compression test of the composite materials was performed. They fractured in a brittle manner once, however, after the fracture, they were not broken into pieces, but followed by the ductile deformation.