Infiltration behavior and mechanism in semi-solid rolling of carbon fibers reinforced Al-matrix composite

Electroless nickel coated woven carbon fibers were used as reinforcements for the fabrication of Al-matrix composites by Semi-solid Rolling method. Due to the appropriate fiber immersion conditions (800 °C for 30 s), the reasonable back-sheet temperature (600 °C) and the correct covering-layer state (semi-solid), the matrix could infiltrate into the woven interspace sufficiently and attach to the fibers closely forming a smooth interface. The Al-5%Cu alloy was used as the matrix to investigate the infiltration mechanism by tracing the alloy-element distribution. It implied that the liquid part of the semi-solid matrix was the main filler, while the solid part just worked on the adjustment of matrix flowability to improve the infiltration result. The incorporation of woven carbon fibers provided a significant improvement in the material strength for more than 52%, and the composites could get a 2-dimensional strengthening effect to resist the deformation in multiple directions. [Display omitted] •The composites were successfully prepared by rolling in an open environment, rather than confined space.•The evolution of Ni coatings in the liquid compositing process was clearly revealed.•The infiltration behavior and mechanism of semi-solid rolling was successfully revealed by an alloy-element tracing method.•With the incorporation of carbon fibers, the strength of composite improves significantly for 52%.