Papers by Author: Árpád Németh

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite blocks and a pipe (as semi-product) were produced by pressure infiltration technique. In this paper the authors deal with the production method and investigations of the blocks and the pipe. In our composites AlSi12 eutectic aluminium-silicon alloy was used as matrix material. The reinforcements were ‘A’ and ‘B’ type carbon fibers (‘A’ having lower amorphous carbon content than ‘B’). The volume fraction of the fibers was outstanding – at least 55 vol%. Scanning electron microscopic investigations were done in order to observe the rather rough surface of the carbon fibres. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometry was done in order to estimate the quantity of Al4C3 intermetallic phase at the carbon fiber/matrix interface region. The measurements showed that the quantity of Al4C3 strongly depends on the amorphous carbon quantity in carbon fibers. Much more Al4C3 was formed in the case of ‘A’ type reinforcement (less amorphous carbon), than in the case of ‘B’ type reinforcement (more amorphous carbon). The presence of Al4C3 crystals caused large scatter in the mechanical properties, the UTS was decreased, while the compressive strength was increased. Fracture surfaces were investigated: the composite showed rigid fracture.

Abstract: Nowadays the development of composite materials has increasing importance. In this study Nextel 440 type alumina fibre reinforced aluminium matrix composite wires were investi-gated. Composite wires produced using the continuous process are suitable to simplify the introduc-tion of fibre reinforcements into aluminium castings as well as the production of double composite, sandwich and preferentially reinforced structures. This paper focuses on the porosity of composite wires because minimizing porosity is the primary condition of good mechanical properties. Compo-site wires were produced with different infiltration pressures (0.83 MPa, 1.03 MPa, 1.24 MPa, 1.52 MPa, 1.65 MPa 1.86 MPa and 2.07 MPa) and different diameters (1 mm and 2 mm) to determine the correlation between infiltration pressure and the porosity of wires. 10 grinded cross-sectional samples were made from each type of composite wires. Based on the micrographs of these samples the volume fraction of aluminium was determined by image analysis, which also yielded informa-tion on the porosity of wires. The results show that there is direct linear correlation between the infiltration pressure and the change in porosity. These findings, however, are valid only for the in-vestigated range of pressure.

Abstract: This paper presents the possibility of composite block production by using pressure infiltration technology. This method uses the pressure of an inert gas (usually argon or nitrogen) to force the melted matrix material to infiltrate the reinforcing elements. Three types of materials were considered: open cell metallic foam, metal matrix syntactic foam and carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composite. Physical and mechanical investigations – such as SEM and compression tests – were performed. The results of measurements were summarized briefly.

Abstract: The fibre reinforced metal matrix composites (FRMMC-s) are one of the main groups of the composite materials. The composite wires are continuous-fibre-reinforced aluminium matrix composites, which are made by a continuous process. Composite wires already have a few experimental applications for the reinforcement of high voltage electric cables. Other experimental application fields of these materials are the preferential reinforcement of the cast parts. In this way significant decrease in the weight could be achieved. The aim of this study is to show the excellent mechanical properties of the composite wires, and the contact relationship between the mechanical and other properties (i.e. thermoelectric power) and the possibility of their standardized production. The continuous production process of the composite wires and their test results were are shown as well. The difference between the composite wire reinforced double composite structures and direct fibre reinforced blocks were delineated as well. In this paper specimens were examined by tensile tests, bending tests, thermal aging tests and thermoelectric power measurement.