Tensile and flexural properties of carbon fibre-aluminium matrix composites

Abstract

Abstract Samples of graphitised and carbonised fibre-aluminium matrix composites have been fabricated and some of their properties evaluated: 1. (i) Tensile and flexural moduli were close to rule-of-mixtures values. 2. (ii) Tensile and flexural strength levels were somewhat below rule-of-mixtures values for both graphitised and carbonised fibre composites. Best tensile results were ∼80,000 lb/in2, representing ∼80 per cent rule-of-mixtures at ∼30 per cent Vf. 3. (iii) Short-term elevated temperature strengths of graphitised fibre composites showed only a slight fall at temperaturesup to 500°C. Stres-rupture test results at 400°C were, however, somewhat disappointing. 4. (iv) The relatively low impact values obtained were consistent with the mode of fracture, which involved very little fibre pull-out and negligible delamination.