Fabrication of aluminum matrix composites by quick spontaneous infiltration process through combustion reaction of Al–Ti–B4C–CuO powder mixtures in molten aluminum

A novel, quick, spontaneous infiltration process that combines with a combustion reaction from a powder mixture of Al–Ti–B4C–CuO is presented. The process is realized in a simple and economical way, with the whole process being performed in air in a few minutes. The microstructures of the composites exhibit quasi-continuous three-dimensional network structures composed of infiltrated aluminum and B4C particles surrounded by the aggregates of the reaction products. The composites exhibit a high elastic modulus with a low coefficient of thermal expansion.