A study of the coefficients of thermal expansion of Al alloy 6061-albite composites

The change in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of albite particulate-reinforced Al alloy 6061 metal-matrix composites was investigated with respect to temperature. The composites were prepared by the 'compocasting' technique and the albite contents were 2, 4 and 6 wt % respectively. A comparison was made with the unreinforced matrix material. The results show that the CTE significantly increased with increasing temperature but decreased with increasing albite content. These phenomena are explained.