Microstructure and properties of squeeze cast Cu-carbon fibre metal matrix composite

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 34; no. 20; pp. 5045 - 5049
• Main Authors: PRAKASAN, K, SESHAN, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 15.10.1999; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Carbon fibers; Casting; Clustering; Contact of materials. Friction. Wear; Copper; Crystal lattices; Exact sciences and technology; Fibre reinforced metals; High temperature; Materials science; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metal matrix composites; Metals. Metallurgy; Microhardness; Microstructure; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Pressure casting; Production techniques; Solid phases; Squeeze casting; Wear resistance; Melt infiltration; Short fiber; Fibre reinforced metal; Mechanical properties; Hardness; Experimental study; Microhardness; Composite material; Tensile strength; Materials preparation; Wear; Wear resistance; Copper; Fractography; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004744613190

There have been reported attempts of producing Cu based MMCs employing solid phase routes. In this work, copper was reinforced with short carbon fibres by pressure infiltration (squeeze casting) of molten metal through dry-separated carbon fibres. The resulting MMC's microstructure revealed uniform distribution of fibres with minimum amount of clustering. Hardness values are considerably higher than that for the unreinforced matrix. Addition of carbon fibres has brought in strain in the crystal lattice of the matrix, resulting in higher microhardness of MMCs and improved wear resistance. Tensile strength values of MMCs at elevated temperatures are considerably higher than that of the unreinforced matrix processed under identical conditions.