In-situ preparation of Al matrix composites reinforced by TiB2 particles and sub-micron ZrB2

A novel Al matrix composite reinforced with TiB2 and ZrB 2was fabricated by the mixing salts reaction method and the microstructures of the composites were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). X-ray diffraction was used to identify the phases in the composites. The composites were fabricated by mixing salts reaction process at 860°C with KBF4, K2ZrF6, and K2TiF6 salts used. The TiB2 and ZrB2 particles were hexangular and near-equiaxed shape. It was found that the average size of the TiB2 particle is about 1 μm while that of ZrB2 particle is about 0.30 μm.