Carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composites (MMC's) are an attractive class of materials for automotive and aerospace structural applications because of their high strength and stiffness to weight ratios and their low coefficients of thermal expansion. Successful development of these new materials demands a thorough understanding of the structure/property/processing relationships and, in particular, a detailed understanding of the fiber/matrix interface since this region strongly influences the final mechanical properties of the system. This interface is affected by many factors including the manufacturing method, heat treatment, matrix alloy composition and wettability of the fibers but, since it is a region which is typically much less than lμm wide, it is inaccessible to direct detailed observation by any means other than transmission electron microscopy.
Characterization of Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy