Effect of extrusion temperature on the microstructure and tensile property of 2D-Cf/Al composites by liquid extrusion infiltration

Abstract

2D-Cf/Al composites were prepared by liquid extrusion infiltration under the different extrusion temperatures of 570, 585, 600, 615, and 630 °C of infiltration mold. Through the observation and analysis of the microstructure and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composites, it showed that extrusion temperature had important influence on the infiltration effect and tensile property of 2D-Cf/Al composites. When the extrusion temperatures were 570 and 585 °C, very few aluminum alloy liquid was filled into the carbon fiber preform, and the UTS(s) of composites was low. When the temperature reached 600 °C, infiltration effect and UTS had been improved. With the increase of extrusion temperature at 615 °C, the infiltration of aluminum alloy liquid was sufficient, the distribution of carbon fibers was uniform, and defects of casting holes and fiber damage could not be found. UTS had been improved 115.8% more than that of the matrix. However, when extrusion temperature reached 630 °C, infiltration of the alloy was sufficient, but there was fiber damage, which would reduce the UTS of the composites. The increased proportion of UTS was only 21.7%, and this was not satisfied. Through comparison and analysis, 615 °C was a better extrusion temperature than others, and infiltration effect and UTS were more satisfied. It was adverse for preparing ideal 2D-Cf/Al composite to have too low and too high extrusion temperatures.