Effect of a Copper Coating on the Compatibility of a Reinforcing Fiber with an Aluminum Matrix

Abstract—Effect of a barrier copper coating deposited on reinforcing carbon fibers on their compatibility with an aluminum matrix (wrought AD31 alloy of the Al–Mg–Si system) is studied. The coating was deposited by galvanic deposition from an acid or alkaline electrolyte at room temperature. No coating has been deposited onto SiC fibers. Samples have been fabricated by spontaneous impregnation at temperatures of 700–950°C in vacuum at a residual gas pressure of 0.1 Pa. The microstructure of the fiber–matrix bonding regions is studied. The coating formed from an alkaline electrolyte is shown to provide better wetting of the fibers by the matrix melt.