The structure between TaC fibers and matrix interface in a Ni, Cr, Al-TaC in situ composite

The Ni, Cr, Al-TaC composite was directionally cast from a nickel-base alloy with a nominal weight composition of Ni-10Cr-5.0Al-13.9Ta-0.9C (wt.%). The thermal gradient in the solid-liquid interface was approximately 250 K/cm. A withdrawal rate of 5 μm/s was used. The structure of the fiber-matrix interface was determined by using TEM. Regular broken line shape, irregular broken line shape, wavy shape and fish-skeleton shape interface structures were observed. Regular broken line shape can be explained by Rebout interface structure model. The reason why the irregular broken line shape, wavy and fish-skeleton interface structure was formed was mainly affected by impurities or perturbation at the interface. Stress from the matrix can efficiently and evenly deliver to TaC fibers in a favour of these interface structures.