Abstract: The interaction between Zn-Al eutectic alloy and Al2O3p/6061Al 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 Al2O3p/6061Al composites. Experimental results show that Zn-Al eutectic alloy has a good wetting ability to Al2O3p/6061Al composites and the wetting angle decreases with increasing the temperature in vacuum. After the interaction, an interaction layer forms between Zn-Al alloy and Al2O3p/6061Al 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 distribute 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 Al2O3p/6061Al composites which is a function of temperature. So it is necessary to lower heating temperature in order to limit the Zn penetration.

Key words: Al2O3p/6061Al composites, Zn-Al eutectic alloy, Wetting, Interface microstructure