Interface structure in carbon and graphite fiber reinforced 2014 aluminum alloy processed with active fiber cooling

The fiber/matrix interfaces developed in continuous carbon fiber (CF) and graphite fiber (GRF) reinforced 2014 aluminum matrix composites were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-cast CF/2014 Al and GRF/2014 Al composite specimens were processed by pressure infiltration of continuous fiber bundles preheated at 500 °C, while the fiber reinforcements were externally cooled during infiltration by exposing fiber ends to atmospheric air. Very limited precipitation of secondary phases along the fiber matrix interface was observed in the microstructure. Most of the secondary phases identified in the matrix in the interfiber regions included Al20Cu2Mn3, AlSiMnFe or Al2Cu within interfiber regions. Other interfacial reaction products detected were Cu- and Si-based spinels in the CF composite and an amorphous Al–C–O layer in the GRF composite. In both composites, Al4C3 was detected but its frequency of occurrence was rather low, particularly in the GRF composite interfaces. The formation of relatively clean GRF/matrix interfaces in the GRF composite suggests nucleation of primary alpha-aluminum phase on some parts of graphite fiber surface; the orientation relationship between GRF and aluminum appears to be (0 2 0)Al//(0 0 0 2)GRF in the present study.