Thermal expansion behavior of randomly oriented short carbon fiber reinforced copper composites

Several experiments were carried out on Cu composites with random orientation of short C fibers. The composite with random orientation of short C fibers swelled due to the elastic deformation of the fiber skeleton above 573 K. In a 3-D isotropic composite, the Cu matrix softened above 573 K and was fractured by the repulsive force of C fibers which were elastically deformed and released during heating. Swelling of the composite occurred when the fiber content was greater than or = 20 volume percent or the fiber length exceeded 0.5 millimeters. The addition of carbide-forming elements such as Ti was effective in preventing the swelling.