Abstract
The effects of binder on the mechanical properties of the preforms and metal matrix composites (MMCs) were studied. Fibers were $9Al_2O_3{\cdot}2B_2O_3(Alborex)$, HTZ and $Al_2O_3$ fibers(Saffil) and binders were organic binder, inorganic binder, polyacrylamide under various PH conditions. Compressive strength of the preform increased with the addition of inorganic binder. The polyacrylamide did not improve the permeability of the preforms. PH of the slurry should be controlled because it affects the viscosity of the slurry. Good preforms were obtained under following conditions : 3 wt% inorganic binder, 0.1 wt% organic binder, 0.1 wt% polyacrylamide and PH 9. Tensile tests of MMCs were conducted at $20^{\circ}C,\;150^{\circ}C,\;250^{\circ}C,\;350^{\circ}C$ using MTS(100KN USA). Wear tests were conducted under various sliding speeds. High temperature($250^{\circ}C$) tensile strengths of Alborex/Saffil/AC8A and HTZ/AC8A are 80% and 75% of the room temperature tensile strengths respectively. The tensile and wear properties of the Alborex/Saffil/AC8A are superior to that of the HTZ/AC8A. The wear behavior of HTZ/AC8A shows more orthotropic characteristic than that of Alborex/Saffil/AC8A.
