Experimental study on effect of temperature on mechanical properties of graphite fibre reinforced Al matrix composites

A continuous graphite fibre reinforced aluminium matrix composite (Gr_f/Al) with 60 vol.-% Gr_f content was produced by squeeze casting technology. The composite was dense and macroscopically homogeneous, and only a small amount of aluminium carbide was found in the Gr/Al interface. Tensile and bending strengths of Gr_f/Al composites have been measured in the temperature range between −40 and 100°C. With increasing tested temperatures, the tensile and bending strengths of Gr_f/Al composites were enhanced from 891 to 1095 MPa and from 967 to 1234 MPa respectively. The temperature dependence mechanisms of composite strength were analysed in terms of changing of residual stress and mechanical properties of matrix respectively.