Tribological characteristics of innovative Al6061–carbon fiber rod metal matrix composites

Rods made of continuous carbon fibers are being extensively used as structural materials in light weight micro-air vehicles owing to their excellent specific modulus and strength. Further, they possess excellent tribological characteristics – low friction and wear coupled with high conductivity making them an ideal reinforcement in developing light weight, high strength aluminum based metal matrix composites. In the last three decades, researchers have focused mainly on the study of mechanical and tribological behavior of discontinuous carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composites. However, no information is available regarding the tribological behavior of carbon fibers rod reinforced metal matrix composites, although it is interesting and will result in expanding the applications of metal matrix composites (MMC) where tribological failures are expected.