Metal matrix composites(MMC) can obtain mechanical characteristics of application purposes that a single material is difficult to obtain. Al2 O3/AC8A composites were fabricated by low pressure infiltration process. The purpose is establishing the optimal casting conditions for composite preparation under low pressure. It is known the inorganic binder help infiltration. Therefore Al2O3 fiber preform's optimum sinter temperature is 1160℃, added inorganic binder is mixed binder(SiO2 sol:Al2O3 sol=5:2). And three fibers have been compared (Al2O3 80%/SiO2 20%, Al2O3 80%/SiO2 10% and Al2O3 97%/SiO2 3%). Al2O3/AC8A composites was made by each melting temperatures(650℃, 700℃, 750℃) and wear test was performed about effect of temperatures, kind of fiber, matrix and composites, aging time. Wear test is Ball on disk wear test. The resistance increased with the low melting temperature and Al2O3 80%/SiO2 20% fiber.

This study was performed to test the cellulose digestibility using the transgenic pigs harboring cellulose degradation gene D (CelD). After delivered offsprings between normal pig and transgenic swine, DNA was isolated from piglets tail for PCR analysis. In first generation, five out of 65 piglets showed CelD positive. Unfortunately, four CelD-positive pigs were died during growing, but one survived pig was used as a transgenic founder to produce F₁ descendents. Among 3 F₁ transgenic pigs produced, one died and the remaining two pigs were used to test the fiber digest efficiency. An assorted feed was composite of 5％ fiber with other ingredients. The feed of 3 kg per day was provided to the pigs including transgenic founders and littermate controls. The manure quantity was measured daily for a month, and all manures were dried for three days to analysis nitrogen, phosphate and fiber concentrations. The fiber digestion efficiencies of the transgenic F₁ pigs showed approximately 10％ higher than those of control pigs. Fiber digestion was not greatly improved in transgenic pigs as it had been expected approximately 30％. Nitrogen concentration of transgenic pig′s manure was slowly decreased compare to the control pigs. Because there were only two transgenic pigs tested, a large number of transgenic pigs may be necessary to obtain more reliable data. Breeding of animals to obtain sufficient transgenic pigs subjected for a further study is on progress. Taken together, this study demonstrated successful production of transgenic pigs with increase of cellulose digestibility in the porcine feed.