Progress in the Development of Graphite- Aluminum Composites Using Liquid Infiltration Technology

The most successful techniques for producing graphite-aluminum com posites have been those that utilize liquid-metal infiltration of graphite yarn. Almost all grades and types of graphite yarn can be infiltrated; how ever, a fiber coating is required, which results in wetting and provides a diffusion barrier to inhibit aluminum carbide formation. Two fiber coating methods are discussed in detail, including the sodium pretreatment method that results in intermetallic compound formation on the fiber and a chem ical vapor deposition method that applies a titanium-boron codeposit.