Abstract: The stability of K_2O·8TiO_2 whiskers and the microstructures of the interfaces in K_2O·8TiO_2 whisker reinforced ZL109 aluminum composites under different heat treatment conditions were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM) , mostly by high resolution TEM( HRTEM). It was found that K_2O·8TiO_2 whiskers were not very stable.The edge of the whiskers decomposed and a TiO interfacial layer formed during the process of fabricating K_2O·8TiO_2/ ZL109Al composite,and so the interior with increasing temperature and time of heatreatment. Two kinds of interfacial microstructures between the whiskers and the matrix were characterized; one was the TiO layer and the other was a nano scale amorphous transition layer. A few MgAl_2O_4 particles were also observed at the whisker/ matrix interfaces.

Key words: potassium titanate whisker, aluminium alloy, composite interface, heat treatment