Production and Optimization of Aluminum- Basalt Composites by Hand Lay-out Technique

摘要

Since basalt fibers possess relatively high mechanical properties, good heat/sound insulating characteristics, low density and inexpensive price, they can be a proper substitute for glass and carbon fibers. Currently, these fibers are used to reinforce concrete, asphalt and Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC's), but little or almost no attempt has been made to use them in metal matrix composites. In this study, fibrous Al-basalt composites were produced for the first time. Basalt fibers were first wound around a fixture and then dipped into molten A413 alloy for a few seconds and taken out quickly to form laminates that contained basalt fibers coated with a thin layer of aluminum after cooling at room temperature. Finally a certain amount of these laminates were weighed and then subjected to hot pressing in a mold to produce composites. The processing parameters were optimized to obtain composites with the least amount of porosity. The optimum pressure and temperature of HP were reported 630 MPa and 400°C, respectively.