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The K2ZrF6 wetting process: Effect of surface chemistry on the ability of a SiC-Fiber preform to be impregnated by aluminum

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Abstract

SiC-ceramic materials, either as flat substrates or porous fiber preforms, are spontaneously wetted by aluminum at 700 °C to 800 °C when they have been pretreated with an aqueous solution of K2ZrF6. The wetting enhancement effect results from exothermic chemical reactions occurring at the SiC/Al interface. The first phenomenon thought to occur is a disruption of the alumina film covering liquid aluminum due to a reaction of A12O3 with K2ZrF6. Then alumina is totally dissolved at low temperatures by potassium/aluminum mixed fluorides, giving rise to a very fluid cryolitic liquid spreading out on the surface of liquid aluminum and to the true SiC/Al interface. Simultaneously, a large evolution of heat occurs, mainly due to the reduction of K2ZrF6 by aluminum and the formation of Al3Zr. The impregnation of 2D-SiC/SiC preforms by aluminum is modeled, and the effect of both the contact angle decrease and local temperature rise on the impregnation of the preforms, e.g., by gravity casting, is established.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Elaboration de Matériaux et d’Etudes Structurales, Laboratoire d’Optique Electronique, CNRS (UPR 8011), BP 4347, F-31055, Toulouse, France

    R. Fedou (Senior Researcher)

  2. Laboratoire des Composites Thermostructuraux (UMR-47, CNRS-SEP-UB1), 33600, Pessac, France

    J. P. Rocher

  3. Société Européenne de Propulsion, Le Haillan, BP 37, F-33165, Sait Médard-en-Jalles, France

    J. M. Quenisset (Professor, Research Engineer)

  4. Laboratoire de Génie Mécanique, IUT-A, Université de Bordeaux I, F-33405, Talence, France

    R. Naslain (Professor)

  5. Université de Bordeaux, and Director, Laboratoire des Composites Thermostructuraux (UMR-47, CNRS-SEP-UB1), F-33600, Pessac, France

    S. Schamm

Authors
  1. S. Schamm
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  2. R. Fedou
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  4. J. M. Quenisset
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  5. R. Naslain
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Formerly Researcher with the Laboratoire de Chimie du Solide du CNRS

Formerly Researcher with the Laboratoire de Chimie du Solide du CNRS

Formerly Researcher with the Laboratoire de Chimie du Solide du CNRS

Formerly Professor with the Laboratoire de Chimie du Solide du CNRS Université de Bordeaux I, F-33405, Talence, France,

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Schamm, S., Fedou, R., Rocher, J.P. et al. The K2ZrF6 wetting process: Effect of surface chemistry on the ability of a SiC-Fiber preform to be impregnated by aluminum. Metall Trans A 22, 2133–2139 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02669881

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02669881

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