Microstructure characteristics of interaction layer of Zn-Al eutectic alloy with Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites

The interaction between Zn-Al eutectic alloy and Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites in the vacuum furnace was investigated. Great attention has been paid to the elements diffusion, the microstructure and formation of the interface between Zn-Al eutectic alloy and Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites. Experimental results show that Zn-Al eutectic alloy has a good wetting ability to Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites and the wetting angle decreases with the increase of the temperature in vacuum. After the interaction, an interaction layer forms between Zn-Al alloy and Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites. The phases in the interaction layer mainly consist of α-Al(Zn), Al₂O₃ and CuZn₅ resulted from the diffusion of elements from the Zn-Al alloy. Several porosities are distributed in the region near the interface of the Zn-Al alloy/interaction layer. The amount of shrinkage voids in the interacting layer is relevant to the penetration of Zn element into Al₂O_3p/6061 Al composites which is a function of temperature. So it is necessary to lower the heating temperature in order to limit the Zn penetration.