Effect of interfacial modifying on the microstructures, mechanical properties and abrasive wear properties of aluminum borate whiskers reinforced 6061Al composite

CuO was coated on the surface of aluminum borate whiskers (ABOw) by hydrothermal synthesis and CuO coated ABOw reinforced 6061Al composite (ABOw/CuO/6061Al) was prepared by squeeze casting. Interfacial microstructures and tensile properties of the composites in as-cast and after T6 heat-treatment were investigated. The abrasive wear properties of the composites under different loads, different sliding speeds and T6 heat-treatment were also investigated. The results show a thin layer of CuO film is uniformly coated on the surface of ABOw. CuO reacts with molten 6061Al during squeeze casting, which increases the mechanical properties of as-cast composite. Meanwhile, MgAl2O4 forms at the interface, which effectively hinders serious interfacial reactions between ABOw and Mg in the 6061Al matrix during T6 heat-treatment. Under the same load and sliding speed, the abrasive mass loss of as-cast ABOw/CuO/6061Al composite is less than that of ABOw/6061Al composite. T6 heat-treatment can significantly decrease the abrasive mass loss of the composite.