Abstract
Inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) chamber, we performed an in situ interlaminar shear test on a z-pinned carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composite (Cf/Al) fabricated by the pressure the infiltration method to understand its failure mechanism. Experiments show that introducing a stainless-steel z-pin increases the interlaminar shear strength of Cf/Al composite by 148%. The increase in interlaminar shear strength is attributed to the high strength of the stainless-steel z-pin and the strong bonding between the z-pin and the matrix. When the z-pin/matrix interface failed, the z-pin can still experience large shear deformation, thereby enhancing delamination resistance. The failure mechanism of composite includes interfacial debonding, aluminum plough, z-pin shear deformation, frictional sliding, and fracture. These results in this study will help us understand the interlaminar strengthening mechanism of z-pins in the delamination of metal matrix composites.
Highlights
Carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Cf/Al) have drawn great attention in automotive and aerospace applications due to their high specific strength, high specific modulus, high thermal conductivity, and good fatigue properties [1,2,3]
Researchers have performed several experimental studies to investigate the interlaminar strengthening mechanisms of z-pinned carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, such as double cantilever beam (DCB) fracture tests, end notch flexure (ENF) fracture tests, z-pin pull-out tests, and interlaminar shear tests [4,11,12]. They have effectively exploited the in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique to observe the fracture process of composites, since it can help us observe the fracture behavior of other types of composite structures in real time [13,14,15]
Figure shows the typical tensile shear curve for Cf/Al composites reinforced with half of the stainless-steel z-pin with a diameter of 0.6 mm
Summary
Carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Cf/Al) have drawn great attention in automotive and aerospace applications due to their high specific strength, high specific modulus, high thermal conductivity, and good fatigue properties [1,2,3]. Researchers have performed several experimental studies to investigate the interlaminar strengthening mechanisms of z-pinned carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, such as double cantilever beam (DCB) fracture tests, end notch flexure (ENF) fracture tests, z-pin pull-out tests, and interlaminar shear tests [4,11,12]. They have effectively exploited the in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique to observe the fracture process of composites, since it can help us observe the fracture behavior of other types of composite structures in real time [13,14,15]. The impact of z-pinning on fracture processes of Cf/Al composites were discussed
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