Abstract:The statics of infiltration of liquid metal into short fiber preform was theoretically analysed by treating the fiber preform as a porous body. Two representative fiber distribution models, of which one assumed a planar distribution while the other assumed a quasi-planar distribution, were proposed and equations for calculating the effective capillary tube radius of the preform and the threshold pressure for infiltration corresponding to either fiber distribution model were derived respectively. By liquid infiltration experiment, the threshold pressure for infiltration of an Al-1.5 Mg aluminium alloy /short alumina fiber preform system was measured and the theoretical analysis results were well verified.

Key words: liquid infiltration　effective capillary tube radius　threshold infiltration pressure