The reactive melt infiltration (RMI) process and the directed metal oxidation (DIMOXTM) process were used to fabricate Al2O3/metal composites. Pure Al powder was infiltrated into Al2O3 preforms with the addition of borosilicate powder for the production of Al2O3/metal composites in the RMI process. In the case of the DIMOXTM process, Al 7039 alloy has been infiltrated into Al2O3 preforms to produce Al2O3/metal composites involving the directed oxidation of the Al 7039 alloy. A lower temperature and shorter processing time were required to fabricate Al2O3/metal composites in the RMI process than in the DIMOXTM process.

Keywords: Reactive melt infiltration, Directed metal oxidation, Fracture toughness, Fractography