Infiltration behavior and mechanism in semi-solid rolling of carbon fibers reinforced Al-matrix composite

Electroless nickel coated woven carbon fibers were used as reinforcements for the fabrication of Al-matrix composites by Semi-solid Rolling method. Due to the appropriate fiber immersion conditions (800 degrees C for 30 s), the reasonable back-sheet temperature (600 degrees C) and the correct covering-layer state (semi-solid), the matrix could infiltrate into the woven interspace sufficiently and attach to the fibers closely forming a smooth interface. The Al-5%Cu alloy was used as the matrix to investigate the infiltration mechanism by tracing the alloy-element distribution. It implied that the liquid part of the semi-solid matrix was the main filler, while the solid part just worked on the adjustment of matrix flowability to improve the infiltration result. The incorporation of woven carbon fibers provided a significant improvement in the material strength for more than 52%, and the composites could get a 2-dimensional strengthening effect to resist the deformation in multiple directions. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.