Microstructure and mechanical properties of co-continuous metal/ceramic composites obtained from Reactive Metal Penetration of commercial aluminium alloys into cordierite

Co-continuous metal/ceramic composites were obtained by the Reactive Metal Penetration (RMP) method. With the aim of components cost reduction, commercial cordierite preforms and standard aluminium infiltrating alloys (1050, 2011 and 7075) were used in the process. Kinetics of the infiltration reaction, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were found to be influenced by both quantity and type of alloying elements. In particular, while Young’s modulus remains quite constant, a marked increase in microhardness is observed with 2011 and 7075 alloys, even if to the detriment of flexural strength.