Evaluation of Durability of Aluminum Titanate Ceramics by Cyclic Immersion in Molten Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

The durability of aluminum titanate (AT) ceramics was evaluated by cyclic immersion in molten aluminum alloy to simulate actual working conditions of aluminum casting tools. The thermal stress in the specimen during the cyclic immersion was analyzed by finite element method, where the bulk properties of AT ceramics such as density, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and elastic modulus were changed during the thermal cycling. It was identified that Al₂O₃ or MgAl₂O₄ coatings on the AT ceramics effectively inhibited the adhesion of the alloy to the AT surface.