Effect of TiN nano-coating on the interface microstructure of carbon fibres-AZ91 alloy composite

Abstract

Magnesium matrix composites reinforced with carbon fibres, C f, without surface modification and coated with TiN nanolayer, (C f) TiN, were investigated. AZ91 magnesium alloy and carbon fibres of T300B (Toray) PAN type were chosen as components. In the experiment infiltration in vacuum as a method of component consolidation and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) for carbon fibres surface modification were applied. Structural investigations were performed in the Hitachi 3200S field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and on a FEI Tecnai G2 FEG high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and high angle annular dark field (HAADF) detectors. SEM observations revealed that at the interface of AZ91-C f composite destructive phases were formed. An application of TiN nano-coating as a surface modification ensured proper wettability of carbon fibres by liquid metal and protection against the destructive products formation. The microstructure of AZ91-(C f) TiN composite interface was multilayered. TEM investigation revealed a continuous layer of mixed alumina and magnesia just at the carbon surface, followed by a layer with a dominant concentration of titanium, enriched with Al, O, Mg and C and subsequently a layer of nano-sized Al 12Mg 17 crystals in the magnesium matrix. Therefore, an applied TiN nano-coating can be classified as an active barrier in AZ91-C f system.