Processing of Carbon Fibers Reinforced Mg Matrix Composites Via Pre-infiltration with Al

Mg-C composites offer a suitable alternative to Al alloys while allowing for a significant weight reduction, but their production can be impaired by the poor wettability of C substrates by Mg. In the present work, a new 'liquid' processing route has been investigated. By making use of the well-known effect of a pre-treatment of the C fibres with an aqueous solution of K2ZrF6 in favouring spontaneous wetting of C with Al, C yarns have been pre-impregnated with Al and the feasibility of further using them as reinforcements in Mg matrix composites has been assessed. More particularly, it has thus been shown that, under the thermal conditions involved in the process, C fibres did not suffer damage due to chemical reaction with Al, and also that special care should be taken in order to control the surface condition of the pre-infiltrated yarns.