Abstract: Alumina fiber-reinforced zinc alloy composites were manufactured by squeeze casting, and the eutectic transformation in the zinc alloy composites was studied. The results indicate that there is a fine and close interface between the fiber and the matrix, and the alloy elements can improve the combination between the fibers and the matrix in the composites. The fibers can serve as the sites of heterogeneous nucleation of the eutectic in the zinc alloy during the solidification of the composites, and the silicon on the interface between the fibers and the matrix plays a leading role during the coupled growth of the eutectic so that the eutectic transformation of the composites consists of Al-Si eutectic transformation and Zn-Al eutectic transformation.

Key words: Alumina/zinc alloy composite, Squeeze casting, Microstrcture