Fabrication of Continuous Nickel-Coated Carbon Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites Using Low Gas Pressure Infiltration Method

Abstract

Based on the principle of vacuum counter-pressure casting, a low gas pressure infiltration technology was developed to fabricate the Ni-coated carbon fiber reinforced A357 alloy composites. The soundness and microstructure of the as-cast composites were investigated. The results show the relative density increases with the increase of melt temperature, while it firstly increases and then declines as the fiber temperature and infiltration pressure increased. The enhancement of melt and fiber temperature can eliminate the incomplete infiltration defects and improve the uniformity of fiber distribution. The insufficient infiltration pressure leads to some micro-pores in the matrix alloy. However, the over high fiber temperature and infiltration pressure may result in the separation of nickel coating and the fiber aggregation respectively, both of which are responsible for the partial un-infiltrated or insufficient filling defects. The appropriate infiltration parameters identified in this study could provide a reference for inhibition of the hazard interfacial reactions by optimizing the low gas pressure infiltration process.

Micromechanical Modeling of Damage Evolution and Mechanical Behaviors of CF/Al Composites under Transverse and Longitudinal Tensile Loadings

“…The CF/Al composites were fabricated by the gas pressure infiltration (GPI) method. The detailed manufacturing process has been reported elsewhere [18,23]. The as-cast alloy, i.e., Al-10Mg alloy without fiber reinforcement, was also cast using the same processing parameters as for the CF/Al composites.…”

Improved Friction and Wear Properties of Al6061-Matrix Composites Reinforced by Cu-Ni Double-Layer-Coated Carbon Fibers

“…However, heat treatment of the coated SCFs induces Ni diffusion to the fibers, which leads to graphitization of the fiber structure [18], fiber damage, and weakened enhancement provided by the fibers to the composite material [19]. Intermetallic compounds (Al 3 Ni) at the interface act as crack sources that deteriorate the bearing capacity and wear resistance of the composites [20]. Large pores form between the SCFs and Cu coating.…”