An experimental strategy and investigation of preparing high-strength and low-expansion carbon fiber reinforced Al matrix composite

In the pursuit of advancing the aerospace application of carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix (CF/Al) composites, achieving a balance between strength, toughness, and a reduced coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is imperative. This research introduces a novel approach to fabricating a carbon fiber-reinforced titanium/aluminum (Ti-CF/Al-Ti) sandwich composite using a liquid-solid infiltration extrusion method. The microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal deformation, and corrosion resistance were thoroughly analysed. The results show that a 10 μm wide transition layer interface (Al ₃ Ti) generated by Ti/Al interdiffusion is formed in the sandwich composite and forms an inlay structure with carbon fibers. Compared with CF/Al composites, the tensile strength of this sandwich composite was enhanced by 137.04% and 207.55% in the axial and radial directions of the fibers, respectively, while the compressive strength was also significantly increased. Notably, the CTE of the sandwich composite in the radial direction of the fibers was reduced by 51.2% after the introduction of the TC4, while the axial CTE remained unchanged. Additionally, the corrosion current density ( i _corr ) exhibited a remarkable decrease by two orders of magnitude, indicating a substantial improvement in corrosion resistance. These findings provide valuable insights into the preparation of CF/Al composite and their applications in aerospace.