• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.985-994
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• 1996

The initiation and growth of $\alpha$-Al2O3/metal composites by the directed oxidation of molten commercial AlZnMg-alloy at 1223-1423K were investigated. Spontaneous bulk growth did not occur on the alloy alone. but the uniform initiation and growth of the composite were obtained by putting a thin layer of SiO2 particles on the surface of the alloy. Without SiO2 the external surface of the oxide layer was convered by MgO and MgAl2O4. But with the SiO2 reaction initiate the porous ZnO layers were found on the growth surface. The higher process temperature yielded a lower metal content. The oxidation product of $\alpha$-Al2O3 was found to be oriented with c-axis parallel to th growth direction. The growth rates increased with temperature and the apparent activation energy was 111.8 kJ/mol.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.483-490
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• 1997

Al2O3/metal composites were fabricated by oxidation and reaction of molten Al-alloy into two types of commercial Al2O3-SiO2 fibrous insulation board. The growth rate, composition and microstructure of these materials were described. An AlZnMg(7075) alloy was selected as a parent alloy. Mixed polycrystalline fiber and glass phase fiber were used as a filler. The growth surface of an alloy was covered with and without SiO2. SiO2 powder was employed as a surface dopant to aid initial oxidation of Al-alloy. Al-alloy, SiO2, fiber block and growth inhibitor CaSiO3 were packed sequentially in a alumina crucible and oxidized in air at temperature range 90$0^{\circ}C$ to 120$0^{\circ}C$. The growth rate of composite layer was calculated by measuring the mass increasement(g) per unit surface($\textrm{cm}^2$). XRD and optical microscope were used to investigate the composition and phase of composites. The composite grown at 120$0^{\circ}C$ and with SiO2 dopant showed rapid growth rate. The growth behavior differed a little depending on the types of fiber used. The composites consist of $\alpha$-Al2O3, Al, Si and pore. The composite grown at 100$0^{\circ}C$ exhibited better microstructure compared to that grown at 120$0^{\circ}C$.