Influence of high temperature holding on tensile strength of pitch-based carbon fiber reinforced Al-Mg alloy composites fabricated by ultrasonic infiltration method

Carbon fiber reinforced aluminum alloy composites.CF/Al composites.are expected to be applied to electric power cable due to superior specific strength and specific modulus. It is reported that CF/Al composites form aluminum carbide.Al4C3.at the interface between carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. However, in operating condition.300°C, 36 years., the growth of Al4C3 and tensile strength of CF/Al composites have not been clarified. In this study, at first, pitch-based CF.XN-60./Al composites are fabricated with ultrasonic infiltration method and held at 300, 450, 500°C for a given length of time. Secondary, influence of holding temperature on the quantity of Al4C3 was investigated. Thirdly, relationship between the quantity of Al4C3 and tensile strength of CF/Al composites was examined. As holding temperature increased, the quantity of Al4C3 increased and tensile strength decreased. Reaction kinetics calculation indicated that remaining strength versus theoretical strength.ROM.of the CF/Al composites, held at 300°C for 36 years, was 0.81. That is, it should be better for applying the pitch-based CF/Al composites to electric power cable than the PAN-based CF/Al composites.