Carbon fibers with nickel coating reinforced aluminum matrix composites were prepared by stirring method

and it was analyzed by scanning electron microscope

XRD and universal tensile testing machine.The results reveal that carbon fibers are dispersed well in the matrix of aluminum by stirring.The Ni coating is dissoluted in the matrix to form Al

3

Ni phase as a result of the reaction between the aluminum matrix and the nickel coating.The Al

3

Ni can prevent effectively the brittle phase Al

4

C

3

formed between the carbon fibers and the matrix.The tensile strength of the composites is increased with the increase of carbon fiber content.Compared with those of the pure aluminum

when the content of carbon fibers is 5% and 7%

the tensile strength of the composites prepared is increased by 29% and 35%

respectively

while the plasticity is decreased obviously.