The wettability of SiC particles by molten aluminium alloy

A critical step in the processing of cast, particle reinforced, metal matrix composites (MMCs) is the incorporation of the ceramic particles into the molten matrix alloy. Therefore, in a foundry MMC fabrication method, wettability of the reinforcement particles by the matrix alloy is one aspect of the process that must be optimised. In general, the reinforcement ceramic particles are very difficult to wet by a liquid metal. Information about this phenomenon is also difficult to obtain as it is widely dispersed throughout the literature. This paper presents a review of available information on factors which contribute to poor wetting between ceramic phases, and liquid metals. It particularly focuses on aluminium, a common MMC matrix material. Research on methods which can be used to improve this wettability is also detailed. This paper aims to bridge an existing information gap between the fundamentals of the wetting of solid particles, and the practice of the preparation of cast MMCs.