PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SHORT CARBON FIBER REINFORCED ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITES

摘要

Aluminium matrix composites reinforced by short carbon fibers were prepared through stir casting process. The carbon fibers coated with copper by using electrolysis plating were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composites with different levels of carbon fibers were prepared through stir casting method. The microstructure and mechanical properties of composites were evaluated. The microstructure results showed that the carbon fibers were reasonably uniformly distributed within the aluminium matrix and exhibited good interfacial bonding with the matrix. The mechanical properties testing results indicated that the tensile strength and hardness increases with the increase of carbon fiber level. The results demonstrated that the stir casting is a promising method to prepare aluminium matrix composites.