Preparation of Carbon-fiber-reinforced Aluminum Composites and Their Mechanical Propertiest

Three composites: CF(NiCu)Al, CF(CuNi)Al, and CF(NiCuNi)Al carbon fiber/aluminum were prepared by hot pressing techniques at temperatures of 500°C for 1h ((P-1) method), 500°C for 1.5h ((P-1.5) method), and 670°C for 1h (M-method), and at a constant pressure of 200 kg/cm2 (2.03 x 107 Pa). Carbon fiber was coated by Ni or Cu metal in order to have a good joining with the aluminum matrix. The maximum tensile strength of CF(NiCu)Al composite prepared by the (P-1) method was about three times as large as that of (NiCu)Al metal composites. Two hot pressing techniques, P- and M-method, were u sed; the former was superior to the latter because it had better joining characteristics. Also, the (P-1) method was superior to the (P-1.5) method. XPMA study of CF(NiCu)Al composite revealed that about 15-50% of the Al diffused to Cu while only 10% of Cu diffused to Al; 20% of Ni diffused to Cu, while 30% of Cu diffused to Ni. In the case of the CF(CuNi)Al composite, only 5% of Ni diffused to Al and 10%of Al diffused to Ni. The diffusion quantities of Cu and Ni were the same, while only 1% of Cu diffused into carbon fiber.