PREPARATION,PROPERTIES AND INTERFACE STRUCTURES OF Si_3N_(4w)/6061Al COMPOSITE

The Si_3N_4 whisker reinforced 6061Al composite with bending strength of 790 MPa wasprepared by squeeze casting process.After heat-treatment under T6 regime i.e.530℃,1 h solutioning and 160℃,24 h aging,an increment in strength and microhardnessmay be over 20% and 28% respectively,The microstructures of Si_3N_4 whisker andSi_3N_4/Al interface were observed by meas of HRTEM.The relation between interracialstructure and composite properties was discussed.