Interfacial reactions in aluminum/SiC fibre composite electric power cableusing low oxygen SiC fibre reinforcement

We have evaluated the interfacial reactions of SiC fibre reinforced Al elec trical power cable using low oxygen SiC fibre (Si : 62.4, C : 37.1, 0 : 0.5 mass%), and determined the relationship between the tensile strength and t he amount of reaction products at the interface. The following are occurrin g at the SiC/Al interface: i) diffusion of Al atoms into the SiC fibre, ii) formation of needle-shape Al4C3 compounds, and iii) formation of Al9Si com pounds. Formation of Al4C3 and Al9Si compounds at the interface causes the strength of SiC/Al composite electric power cable to deteriorate. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.