Effect of Cu content on microstructure and properties of Al ₂O₃-SiO₂ fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites

In this paper, pure aluminum and Al-Cu (1%, 3% and 5% mass.) alloy matrix composites reinforced with 40Vol% Al₂O₃SiO₂ sort fiber were fabricated by Squeeze-casting technique. Microstructure and tensile properties of the composites were investigated by means of SEM, EPMA, TEM and tensile tests. It was found from the experimental results that when pure aluminum, which was added into Cu elements, is used as matrix, chemical reaction occurred at the interface between amorphous SiC-2 and matrix due to the Cu element diffusion and enrichment towards the sort fiber surface. Results indicated that with the increasing of Cu content the ultimate tensile strength decreased firstly then increased continuously.