Development and characterization of liquid carbon fibre reinforced aluminium matrix composite

The progress and developments in materials technology have resulted in several new materials like metal-matrix composites (MMCs). On account of excellent physical, mechanical and development properties, MMCs are applied widely in aircraft and automobile technology. The present paper deals with the development of aluminium matrix composite reinforced with carbon preform having a volume fraction of 20-25% using squeeze casting infiltration process. Hardness, impact and tension test on the squeeze cast matrix and the composite was conducted to study the improvement in properties compare to that of matrix. Even though ultimate tensile strength of composite is found to be decreased, an increased Brinell hardness number and a four-fold improvement in toughness are noticed. Characterization of the materials done using optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that the carbon fibers are evenly distributed in the matrix and the alloy is appeared to have smaller dendrite size. The lack of observed fibre pull-out on fracture and improved mechanical properties resulted due to the good wetting of the fibers by the liquid alloy. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved