Development of alumina particle reinforced aluminum composite rotors by pressureless metal infiltration process

Abstract

Metal matrix composites (MMC) have been produced by various methods such as molten metal infiltration, powder metallurgy, melt stirring, hot pressure welding and so forth, depending on their applications. Pressureless metal infiltration process (PRIMEX^TM Process) makes it possible that high volume fraction MMC with less particle segregation are inexpensively produced. MMC with alumina particle volume fraction of 37 vol% produced by pressureless metal infiltration exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties such as thermal resistance and wear resistance. As a result of performance evaluation on the MMC rotor, its wear is small along with good friction coefficient stability. Hence, there has come out a possibility of putting the MMC rotor into practical uses.