Effect of the structure on the strength of the fibrous composite aluminum-carbon strip

Aluminum/carbon composites fabricated by the liquid-phase impregnation of woven carbon ribbons with AL2 silumin (12 pct Si) at 630-670 C were subjected to a series of tests to determine the effect of the structure of the components and the amount of the carbide phase on the composite strength. It is found that higher temperatures and longer times of impregnation lead to an increased amount of the carbide phase, Al4C3, and a nonmonotonic change in the composite strength, with the highest strength achieved for an Al4O3 concentration of 13.8 mg per 1 g carbon. It is also found that the weakest spot in the composite is the weft-matrix interface; hence specimens that have no weft in the working part exhibit maximum strength.