Freeze casting is a versatile approach for the design of lamellar metal−ceramic composites with unique combination of strength and toughness. However, previous studies mainly focused on ceramic factors such as content and lamellae structure, seldom concerning the effects of metal property and interfacial structures, which, in practice, are key factors in determining the mechanical performances of the composites. In this work, we prepared three kinds of Al/TiC lamellar-interpenetrated composites with different matrix compositions (pure Al, 6061Al (Al−0.4Cu−1.0Mg−0.6Si) and ZL107 (Al–7Si–5Cu)) via freeze casting and pressure infiltration, aiming at clarifying the roles of matrix property and interfacial reaction on the mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of the composites. The flexural strengths of pure Al/TiC, 6061Al/TiC and ZL107/TiC composites reached 355 ± 10, 415 ± 15 and 459 ± 18 MPa, while the toughness values (characterized by crack-growth toughness) were 81.0 ± 2.0, 57.6 ± 1.2 and 43.4 ± 1.5 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The exceptional damage tolerance of these lamellar composites was attributed to multiple toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection, uncracked-ligament bridging of ductile layers and plastic deformation of the metal matrix. However, the presence of Si in the 6061Al and ZL107 alloys weakened the stability of TiC and promoted interfacial reaction, leading to the formation of a certain number of (Al_1-m, Si_m)₃Ti and Al₄C₃, which greatly weakened the toughness of the composites. Due to the combined effects of alloy plasticity, lamellar-interpenetrated structure and interfacial reaction, the fracture of the materials changed from a multiple cracking mode in the Al/TiC composite to a single crack propagating mode in the 6061Al/TiC and ZL107/TiC composites.

冷冻浇铸是一种用于层状金属陶瓷复合材料设计的通用方法，具有强度和韧性的独特组合。然而，以前的研究主要集中在陶瓷因素上，例如含量和层状结构，很少涉及金属性能和界面结构的影响，而在实际中，这些因素是决定复合材料力学性能的关键因素。在这项工作中，我们通过冷冻铸造制备了三种具有不同基质组成的Al / TiC层状互穿复合材料（纯Al，6061Al（Al-0.4Cu-1.0Mg-0.6Si）和ZL107（Al-7Si-5Cu））和压力渗透，旨在阐明基体性能和界面反应对复合材料力学性能和断裂机理的作用。纯Al / TiC的抗弯强度^1/2。这些层状复合材料的超强损伤耐受性归因于多种增韧机制，例如裂纹挠曲，可延展层的无裂纹韧体桥接以及金属基体的塑性变形。然而，6061Al和ZL107合金中Si的存在会削弱TiC的稳定性并促进界面反应，从而导致形成一定数量的（Al _1-m，Si _m）₃ Ti和Al ₄ C ₃，这大大削弱了复合材料的韧性。由于合金可塑性，层状互穿结构和界面反应的综合作用，材料的断裂从Al / TiC复合材料的多重裂纹模式转变为6061Al / TiC和ZL107 / TiC复合材料的单裂纹扩展模式。 。