ABSTRACT
In this study, unidirectional and plain woven carbon fiber reinforced magnesium matrix composite laminates were fabricated by the liquid pressing infiltration process, and evolutions of the microstructure and compressive strength of the composite laminates under corrosion were investigated by static immersion tests. In the case of the unidirectional composite laminate, the main microstructural damage during immersion appeared as a form of corrosion induced cracks, which were formed at both CF/Mg interfaces and the interfaces between layers. On the otherhand, wrap/fill interface cracks were mainly formed in the plain woven composite laminate, without any cracks at the CF/Mg interface. The formation of these cracks was considered to be associated with internal thermal residual stress, which was generated during cooling after the fabrication process of these materials. As a consequence of the corrosion induced cracks, the thickness of both laminates increased in directions vertical to the fibers with increasing immersion time. With increasing immersion time, the compressive strengths of both composite laminates also decreased continuously. It was found that the plain woven composite laminates have superior corrosion resistance and stability under a corrosive condition than unidirectional laminates.
keyword : composites, infiltration, residual stress, compression test, stress corrosion crack
