Development of Active Composites for Harsh Environment

Abstract

This paper describes fabrication of active composites working at higher temperatures without using polymer based materials. In this study, continuous SiC fiber reinforced aluminum composite was laminated with unreinforced aluminum plate by the interphase forming/bonding method using copper insert. The obtained material was curved during cooling form hot pressing temperature. Curvature of the composite at room temperature increased with increasing length of specimen, that is, length of the SiC reinforcement fiber in the experimental range up to 60mm. The composite at room temperature was actuated by heating, and its curvature decreased and became zero at the temperature of about 570K, which was decreased by reduction of length of the composite. This temperature and the curvature at room temperature after thermal cycle were reproducible. Continuous SiC fiber reinforced nickel active composite was also tried to be fabricated by the similar method. Curvature of the obtained material was also successfully changed as a function of temperarure up to higher than 800K.