Interface Optimization and Mechanical Properties of Cu-coated Carbon Fiber Cloth/Titanium Alloy Composite

Using Cu-coated carbon fiber cloth (CFC) as reinforcement and Ti-6A1-4V (TC4) as matrix, the Cu-coated CFC/TC4 composite was fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The interface morphology, phase microstructure, phase distribution and mechanical properties of CFC/TC4 were characterized. Results show that carbon fibers are uniformly distributed in Cu-coated CFC/TC4. CuTi, Cu and trace TiC are distributed along the interface between fibers and matrix. The Cu-coated CFC/TC4 possesses slightly better plasticity than TC4, and the yield strength and compressive strength are obviously enhanced. The electroplated Cu plays important roles: (1) markedly decreasing the sintering temperature of Cu-coated CFC/TC4; (2) significantly improving the wettability and interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and TC4 matrix, thus increasing mechanical properties of Cu-coated CFC/TC4; (3) effectively inhibits the excessiving generation of brittle TiC compared with uncoated CFC/TC4 composite, thus maintaining good plasticity of Cu-coated CFC/TC4.