Abstract

Carbon materials, like carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes and graphene, were widely used as promising reinforcements to strengthen aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). The dispersion of reinforcement in matrix and interface wettability between matrix and reinforcing phase have been key factors affecting AMCs properties. In this study, electroless copper-coated carbon fibers reinforced aluminum (Cu-C_f/Al) composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering processing followed by heat treatment. Microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. Microstructure observation indicated that fibers distributed uniformly in the composites containing up to 9 wt% copper-coated carbon fibers (Cu-C_f). In addition, an interfacial layer of 50 nm thickness was formed between the fiber and Al matrix due to mutual diffusion of Cu and Al atoms. Vickers hardness, tensile strength and bending strength of 9 wt% Cu-C_f/Al composite increased from 40 to 93 HV, 59 to 190 MPa and 110 to 326 MPa, respectively, compared to Al matrix. The improved mechanical properties are ascribed to the synergistic effect of dispersion, precipitation and solution strengthening. However, the elongation of composite decreased as compared to that of Al matrix. Moreover, Cu-C_f/Al composite exhibits superior corrosion resistance over uncoated carbon fiber/Al composite but less than Al matrix.

Graphic Abstract

中文翻译：

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冶金制备铜包覆碳纤维增强铝基复合材料的研究

摘要

碳材料，例如碳纤维，碳纳米管和石墨烯，被广泛用作增强铝基复合材料（AMC）的有希望的增强材料。基质中增强剂的分散以及基质与增强相之间的界面润湿性一直是影响AMC性能的关键因素。在这项研究中，化学镀铜碳纤维增强铝（Cu-C _f / Al）复合材料是通过火花等离子烧结工艺，然后进行热处理而制备的。研究了组织和力学性能。显微组织观察表明，纤维在含高达9 wt％的铜包覆碳纤维（Cu-C _f）。另外，由于Cu和Al原子的相互扩散，在纤维和Al基体之间形成了厚度为50nm的界面层。与铝基体相比，9 wt％的Cu-C _f / Al复合材料的维氏硬度，抗张强度和弯曲强度分别从40 HV提高到93 HV，59 MPa增强到190 MPa，110 326 MPa增强。改善的机械性能归因于分散，沉淀和溶液强化的协同作用。但是，与Al基体相比，复合材料的伸长率降低。此外，Cu-C _f / Al复合材料比未涂覆的碳纤维/ Al复合材料具有优异的耐蚀性，但比Al基体要小。

图形摘要