Based on the principle of differential pressure casting

the vacuum assisted differential-pressure infiltration method was newly developed to fabricate continuous carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites（Cf /Al）.Microstructure

fibre distribution

interface phase constituent and fracture morphology of the Cf /Al composites were investigated by scanning electron microscope（SEM）

transmission electron microscope（TEM）and X-ray diffraction（XRD）.Bending strength of the composites prepared was tested by three-point bending experiment.The results show that microstructure of the composites exhibit dense

and the fibers are distributed homogeneously with desirable bonding with the aluminum alloy.The fine Al4 C3 and Mg2 Si phase with small aspect ratios can be found which is distributed discontinuously at the C/Al interface.The bending strength of the composites reaches 1 078 MPa at room temperature.The partial fiber extraction and interface debonding on the fracture surface indicate obvious characteristic of ductile fracture in the composites

which can be attributed to the moderate interface strength of the composites.