抄録
This paper describes a proposal of an active SiC fiber/aluminum composite utilizing its thermal deformation caused by non-uniform distribution of reinforcement fibers. In this study, a laminate of continuous and unidirectional SiC fiber reinforced aluminum plate and unreinforced aluminum plate was fabricated by the interphase forming/bonding method using copper insert foil and its thermal deformation characteristics were investigated. The fabricated composite was unidirectionally and distinctively curved in the fiber direction by cooling from its hot pressing temperature, of which deformation is advantageously different from that of bimetal. Curvature of the composite at room temperature was almost maximized by experimentally investigating the effect of thickness of the aluminum plate, distance between the fibers and length of the composite. Under the optimum condition, its dependence on fiber length was clarified and it was found that the curvature is locally changeable by changing the fiber length. It was also clarified that copper concentrated around the fibers, which was introduced by the interphase forming/bonding method, contributes to increase the curvature of the composite. In the case of actuation test, the curvature of the composite at room temperature was reduced by heating and became zero at the temperature of about 580 K. This temperature and the curvature at room temperature were reproducible and were kept at the same levels even after ten thermal cycles. These results suggest an availability of this composite as an active material.
