Effect of mechanical combined with electromagnetic stirring on the dispersity of carbon fibers in the aluminum matrix

In order to improve the uneven distribution of carbon fibers (CFs) in the matrix by traditional single mechanical stirring, mechanical combined with electromagnetic (M-E) stirring was used to prepare short carbon fibers reinforced aluminum matrix (Csf/Al) composites. The 3-D flow field of aluminum melt under mechanical/M-E stirring were calculated and compared. The calculation results show that the complexity of flow field under M-E stirring could be significantly enhanced relative to a single mechanical stirring, especially there was a strong melt flow near the crucible wall due to the skin effect. It was found that except the inertial force under mechanical stirring and the melt collision with the crucible walls, CFs were also subjected to the electromagnetic force and the oscillating flow between the eddy currents, which would promote the dispersity of the short CFs in the composites. The experimental results are consistent with the calculation results. The experimental results show that the distribution of CFs at each position in the composite samples prepared under M-E stirring was stable. The uniform distribution of CFs in the composites would play an important role in improving the overall performance of the Csf/Al composites.