Enhancing damping capacity and mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites by the synergistic strengthening of SiC particles and carbon fibers

•A novel technique was developed to fabricate Al matrix composites.•In the Al matrix composites, SiCp and carbon fibers were evenly distributed.•The mechanical and damping properties of the Al matrix composites were improved. A colloidal dispersion and suction filtration novel technique was developed to fabricate SiC particles (SiCp) and carbon fibers (Cfs) synergistically reinforced Al matrix composites (SiCp-Cfs/Al composites). The SiCp and Cfs could be uniformly inserted into the Al matrix by the approach, and the manufactured SiCp-Cfs/Al composites exhibited a dense structure, according to microstructural observations of the composites. The tensile strength and damping capacity of SiCp-Cfs/Al composites were dramatically increased when compared to SiCp reinforced Al matrix composites. The homogenous distribution of SiCp and Cfs in the Al matrix, which offers an excellent synergistic strengthening effect, is responsible for the simultaneous improvement of the strength and damping properties of the SiCp-Cfs/Al composites.