Microstructure and mechanical properties of 2A12 Al alloy powder reinforced with continuous carbon fibers manufactured by hot isostatic pressing

Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method was used to prepare a composite material consisting of M40JB continuous carbon fibers (Cf) in 2A12 Al alloy powder, to study its mechanical properties and interface bonding situation of composite materials. The microstructure, fracture surface and C_f/Al interface characteristics were analyzed by optical microscope(OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).The results show that: the tensile strength and plasticity of the composite increase by 5% and 54% respectively; the fracture mechanism of the composite is brittle fracture; the fractures of the aluminum alloy are along the powder particle interface; carbon fibers are pulled out and fractured in C_f/Al interface fracture place; the interfacial reaction of C_f/Al mainly occurs between C and Al atoms, and the diffusion reaction product is Al₄C₃ intermetallic compound.