On the Strength of the CF/Al-Wire Depending on the Fabrication Process Parameters: Melt Temperature, Time, Ultrasonic Power, and Thickness of Carbon Fiber Coating

Abstract

The process of the production of a CF/Al-wire by pulling carbon fibers through an aluminum melt has at least 15 parameters. The main parameters include the power of ultrasonic treatment, the time of contact of the fiber with the matrix melt, and the melt temperature. In addition, the presence of a barrier coating on the fiber surface and its thickness significantly affects the properties of the resulting material. The importance of these parameters is due to their direct effect on the chemical interaction between the aluminum matrix and the carbon fiber. This interaction leads to the formation of aluminum carbide, a hygroscopic, brittle phase that ultimately significantly reduces the strength of such composites. In this regard, limiting a chemical reaction at the matrix/fiber interface in the production of CF/Al composites is one of the main technological problems. The main goal of this work is to pragmatically elucidate the effect of the above parameters on the strength of CF/Al composites. It is shown that the strength of a CF/Al-wire can reach 2000 MPa.