Synthesis of TiB2/Al Composite by LSM

A TiB2/Al composite was synthesized by LSM method.The effect of purification method and cooling rate on the phase and the distribution of TiB2 particulates in TiB2/Al composite was analysed by means of XRD,SEM and image analysis.The flux refinement processes had no significant effect on the distribution of TiB2 in TiB2/Al composite and the content of TiB2 particulates remained the same after refined.However,inert gas refinement processes had a significant effect and TiB2 particulates were not found.That is to say,inert gas refinement processes which are adapted for conventional aluminum alloys are not suitable for the composites;With the increasing of the cooling rate,solidification microstructure became finer,the distribution of TiB2 particulates became more homogenous,and the agglomerated TiB2 particulates decreased.