Initial stages of the refractory degradation process by molten Al-5Mg alloy were investigated analyzing structures caused an interaction with metal during heat cycles. The aggregate, found to be poly-crystalline, consisting cristobalite (SiO2) and mullite (Al6Si2O13), was deteriorated ahead surrounding matrix. Metal permeated into refractory, forming a thin layer along crucible surface below li...

Interpenetrating Al O /Al composites were created by liquid metal infiltration of alumina structures with three-dimensional periodicity produced by a robotic deposition method. Volume-averaged lattice strains in the alumina phase were measured by synchrotron X-ray diffraction at various uniaxial compression stresses up to 200 MPa. Load transfer was observed to occur from the aluminum to the alu...

Simple nanoporous alumina matrix modification procedure, in which the electrically highly insulating alumina barrier layer at the bottom of the pores is replaced with the conductive layer of the gold beds, was described. This modification makes possible the direct electron exchange between the underlying aluminum support and the redox species encapsulated in the alumina pores, thus, providing t...