Fabrication and Characterization of CNFs/Magnesium Composites Prepared by Liquid Pressing Process

ABSTRACT Carbon nano fibers (CNFs) reinforced magnesium alloy (AZ91) matrix composites have been fabricated by liquid pressing process. In order to improve the dispersibility of CNFs and the wettability with magnesium alloy melt, CNFs were mixed with submicron sized SiC particles (SiC p ). Also, the mixture of CNFs and SiC p were coated with Ni by electroless plating. In liquid pressing process, AZ91 melts have been pressed hydrostatically and infiltrated into three reinforcement preforms of only CNFs, the mixture of CNFs and SiC p (CNF+SiC p ), and Ni coated CNFs and SiC p ((CNF+SiC p )/Ni). Some CNFs agglomerates were observed in only CNFs reinforced composite. In cases of the composites reinforce with CNF+SiC p and (CNF+SiC p )/Ni, CNFs were dispersed homogeneously in the matrix, which resulted in the improvement of mechanical properties. The compressive strengths of CNF+SiC p and (CNF+SiC p )/Ni reinforced composites were 38% and 28% higher than that of only CNFs composite. 초 록 본 연구에서는 액상가압공정을 이용하여 탄소나노섬유(carbon nano fiber, CNF)를 강화재로 하는 AZ91 마그네슘 복합재를 제조하였다. CNF의 분산성 및 마그네슘 합금 용탕과의 젖음성을 향상시키고자 CNF를 마이크로 크기의 실리콘 카바이드 입자(silicon carbide particle, SiC