Interesting and unexpected effects, observed during the in situ production of an Al-TiB2 metal matrix composite in free fall, were described. It was shown that, during processing of the composites, a Kirkendall effect was observed in the liquid. In contrast to the classical effect, this was due not only to the considerable diffusivity differences between B and Ti in the Al matrix, but also to the chemical reaction taking place to form TiB2.

Kirkendall Effect in Liquid during the in situ Processing of Metal Matrix Composites under Micro-Gravity Conditions. L.Anestiev, L.Froyen, L.Van Vugt: Journal of Materials Science, 2002, 37[9], 1907-13