C Fibres - Mg Matrix Composites Produced by Squeeze Casting and Friction Stir Processing: Microstructure & Mechanical Behaviour

Mg-Al-Zn alloys have been reinforced with carbon fibres using either the liquid state process of squeeze casting (SC), or friction stir processing (FSP), a solid state process developed more recently and that appears as a promising alternative for the large-scale production of C-Mg composites. Both processes have shown their ability to produce sound composites with enhanced strength compared to the non-reinforced alloys. in SC composites, the unsized woven C fabric remains intact while in the FSP composites the sized C fabric is fragmented in short fibres, with an aspect ratio typically equal to 4, homogeneously distributed in the Mg alloy matrix.