Interfacial microstructure and growth mechanism of Al4C3 in Grf/Al composites fabricated by liquid pressure method.

In this study, Grf/Al composite was fabricated by liquid pressure method. The diffusion layer and the nucleation and growth of Al4C3 were observed at the interface of Grf/Al composites by TEM and HRTEM. The growth mechanism of Al4C3 was analyzed in detail by crystallography theory. It was found that Al4C3 had no phase relations with the carbon fiber. (0001) layer of Al4C3 was parallel with main growth direction. Both the diffusion layer at the interface and crystal structure of Al4C3 affected the shape of Al4C3. At a certain position, Al4C3 could connect two fibers when the fibers were close to each other.