Abstract
In the present work, variations in the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture character of Al 2O 3/A356 composites fabricated by squeeze casting at different solidification cooling rates were investigated. Experimental results showed that when the solidification cooling rate decreased, the crystalline grain size of the matrix alloy and the eutectic silicon phase increased gradually, but the bending strength and the elastic modulus decreased. For Al 2O 3/A356 composites fabricated by squeeze casting, solidification occurred first in the interstices between particles and the particle surface was the substrate for the heterogeneous nucleation of the eutectic silicon phase. Fracture surfaces of the Al 2O 3/A356 composites showed brittle fracture characteristics and broken and cleaved Al 2O 3 particles were observed on the fracture surfaces of the composites.
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