Manufacturing and microstructure of MMC based on CuZn38Al2Mn1Fe brass strengthened with δ-alumina fibres

Metal matrix composite materials were manufactured by squeeze casting with CuZn38Al2Mn1Fe brass of porous preforms made of δ-alumina SAFFIL fibres. The microstructure, Brinell hardness and Vickers microhardness of manufactured composite materials were characterized. Preforms with 10 and 20 vol. % of fibres were preheated and infiltrated applying the pressure of 80 MPa. Microscopic observations showed that alumina fibres are uniformly distributed in the MA58 matrix and there was not observed the destroying of ceramic fibres during squeeze casting process. Hardness of composite materials strengthened with 20 vol.% of SAFFIL fibres reached 265 HB. At the boundary of composite material/not strengthened MA58 alloy it was ascertained the filtration and retention of iron compound precipitates caused by the small dimensions of pores in the ceramic preform. The collection of iron phase precipitates at the boundary composite material/ not strengthened MA58 alloy effected in the increase of microhardness in this zone to 352 HV. On the base of SEM observations the conclusion on limited wettability of fibres by liquid MA58 brass was drawn.