Production and anisotropic compressibility of 304 stainless steel fiber/ZA8 zinc alloy interpenetrating phase composites

Novel interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) are produced by infiltrating ZA8 zinc alloy into a variety of possible fibrous preforms via squeeze casting. The preform with spatial network structure is fabricated by compaction following with sintering of 304 stainless steel short fibers. The microstructure and compressive properties of IPCs with different fiber fraction and diameter are investigated. Each constituent phase is found to form a completely interconnected three-dimensional network. The structure of the IPC exhibits anisotropy, i.e., most fibers are parallel to radial section and perpendicular to longitudinal section, which results in differences in hardness and compressive behavior. The hardness of radial section is slightly higher than that of longitudinal section; lower compressive strength and larger fracture strain are presented in radial direction at ambient temperature while higher steady stress and maximum flow stress are performed in hot compression deformation. During compression at room temperature, the increasing fiber volume fraction enhances compressive strength and enlarges elastic stage for both directions. In addition, the IPCs exhibit nonlinear elastic behavior. A finer fiber contributes to improve the hardness and compressive strength. It is also found that with increasing strain during compression, the unreinforced zinc alloy continuously increases its stress without taking fracture, where IPC is compressed to collapse after plastic deformation.