Effect of silicon additions on characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced aluminum composites during thermal exposure

The effects of Si additions on the behavior of high modulus carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix (CF/Al) composites during thermal exposure at 773 K for different times have been investigated. The composites were fabricated via hybridization with a small volume fraction of SiC particles using a pressure-casting process. The change of longitudinal tensile strength, the strength degradation of carbon fibers, and the microstructural observations on the interfaces of CF/pure Al composites and CF/Al-Si composites after thermal exposure undoubtedly indicate that the alloying element Si in an aluminum matrix can effectively prohibit the interfacial reactions at the fiber/aluminum interface and has positive effects on the characteristics of CF/Al composites.