Authors

Abstract

In the present work the nickel metal matrix was developed by electrochemical
forming technique, were the nickel matrix is built around the reinforced carbon
fiber in various thicknesses and fiber volume fractions. The metallographic
analysis indicate that the experimental depositing condition have a dominating
effect on the observed composite microstructure. The grain size of the deposited
nickel is found (from the microstructure) to vary inversely with the amount of the
depositing electrical current density. Also the temperature of the solution seem to
reflect quite well on the microstructure of the metal matrix, were relatively high
and low solution temperature produced rather refined grain structure, while an
intermediate temperature of (50°C) is found to deposited courser grain size.
Secondary thermal and mechanical treatments are found to modify the
microstructure in a way that higher annealing temperatures tend to enhanced the
grain growth process and tend to reduced apparent porosity at (650°C), similarly
the forging of the electroformed composites made at different temperature tend to
reduced the internal porosity, by a notable ratio, depending on the temperature of
the forging process.

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