Abstract: The reduction of the volumes of the silica glass during aluminum reactive penetration was observed experimentally. The liquid aluminum infiltrates easily into the cavities while the released silicon solves in the liquid aluminum, and Al/A1_2 O_3 composites could be obtained finally. The experimental result has shown that Al/A1_2 O_3 composites could transform into A1_2O_3 grains by oxygen in the cavities of Al/A1_2O_3 composites during longer penetration treatment. The formation of alumina is a sintering process, in which liquid aluminum, particulate alumina and oxygen play an important role. Tin nsformed process has shown that there is a relationship of σAl_2O_3

Key words: aluminum, amorphous silica, reactive penetration, Al/A1_2O_3 composites, alumina