The Effect of Tin Content on the Strength of a Carbon Fiber/Al-Sn-Matrix Composite Wire

Sergei Galyshev,Valery Orlov,Tigran Akopdzhanyan,Evgeniy Kolyvanov,Bulat Atanov,Oleg Averichev

doi:10.3390/met11122057

Abstract

The effect of tin content in an Al-Sn alloy in the range from 0 to 100 at.% on its mechanical properties was studied. An increase in the tin content leads to a monotonic decrease in the microhardness and conditional yield stress of the Al-Sn alloy from 305 to 63 MPa and from 32 to 5 MPa, respectively. In addition, Young’s modulus and the shear modulus of the Al-Sn alloy decreases from 65 to 52 GPa and from 24 to 20 GPa, respectively. The effect of tin content in the Al-Sn matrix alloy in the range from 0 to 50 at.% on the strength of a carbon fiber/aluminum-tin-matrix (CF/Al-Sn) composite wire subject to three-point bending was also investigated. Increasing tin content up to 50 at.% leads to a linear increase in the composite wire strength from 1450 to 2365 MPa, which is due to an increase in the effective fiber strength from 65 to 89 at.%. The addition of tin up to 50 at.% to the matrix alloy leads to the formation of weak boundaries between the matrix and the fiber. An increase in the composite wire strength is accompanied by an increase in the average length of the fibers pulled out at the fracture surface. A qualitative model of the relationship between the above parameters is proposed.

Highlights

The strength of fiber composites depends on at least three parameters, namely, matrix strength, fiber strength, and shear strength of the matrix–fiber interface
In the case of carbon fiber reinforcement of the aluminum matrix, the highest strength values are achieved by creating weak boundaries between the mentioned components
An increase in the tin content leads to a monotonic decrease in the microhardness and conditional yield stress of the matrix alloy from 305 to 63 MPa and from 32 to 5 MPa, respectively

Summary

Introduction

The strength of fiber composites depends on at least three parameters, namely, matrix strength, fiber strength, and shear strength of the matrix–fiber interface. From a practical perspective, the use of coatings is not desirable because it complicates the production technology and can lead to a significant increase in the cost of a composite In this regard, it seems to be more interesting to select a matrix alloy so that a weak interface between the matrix and the fiber is formed during the production process. It seems to be more interesting to select a matrix alloy so that a weak interface between the matrix and the fiber is formed during the production process For this to be achieved, the alloying element in the matrix alloy must be at least inert with respect to carbon because the formation of carbides, for various reasons, will lead to the formation of a strong bond. These reasons include chemical bonds between the matrix and the fiber, and the formation of relief on the surface of the latter

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Conclusion