Forming Process and Simulation Analysis of Helical Carbon Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I have only a few minor comments:

1. Page 12: is: 3.4.1. Effect on deformation of Al-based; should be: Effect on deformation of Al-based composite
2. Page 13; the description of Figure 13. Comparison of specimens after different drawings - the authors should also add the description of Fig. a, b, c, d, e, f
3. In my opinion, it would be very interesting to include information on the quality of the connection on the fiber-matrix interface.
4. References: some Ref. should be reviewed as required by the journal.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The simplified model of a helically formed carbon roving inserted in an aluminium matrix is interesting, but how can a helical carbon roving contribute to strengthen aluminium?

Why do you deal with carbon fiber reinforced polymers with a variety of citations in the introduction? How is the state of the art of carbon fiber metal matrix composites?

A process variation, the application of a so-called multi-pass drawing instead of the originally studied 5-pass-drawing is not made clear – please, describe the difference. There are more statements and findings which severely lack from substantiation or discussion.

The removal of the fiber sizing is very common and published – where is a reference?

Captions of Fig.13 and Fig.14 are insufficient.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The main question remains: Why do you produce a helical carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite? Please give an adequate motivation.  Only this could be the basis for  reasonable conclusions. The deformation of a the composite as long as the helical fiber has nearly no influence on it stays an oddity only.  Which is the significance for the journal?

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Editor, dear Authors,

first of all, I want to affirm that I really appreciate the experiments and finite element analysis of the study. To my opinion, it is therefore worth publishing. Nevertheless, the work still lacks a sound introduction with adequate and selected references and a sound conclusion.

I propose to omit the first meaningless sentence and the mentioning and citation of works concerning other fibers and other matrix materials than used in this work. For instance, why do you cite: Brendel, A.; Popescu, C.; Schurmann, H.; Bolt, H. Interface modification of SiC-fibre/copper matrix composites by applying a 488 titanium interlayer. Surface and Coatings Technology 2005, 200, 161-164?

The introduction should describe

1. Helical carbon fibers and their possible applications due to properties like electrical conductivity etc. (possibly starting with DAVIS, SLAWSON, RIGBY in Nature 171 (1953) p 756). In this part carbon fiber reinforced polymers could be mentioned with single citations….by the way: is there a difference between these helical fibers and your fiber helix – than mention it
2. Carbon fiber reinforced aluminium matrix composites, comprising the positive effect of carbon fibers on mechanical properties.
3. The expected benefits by introducing the carbon helix into aluminium.
4. Derived from that, you should announce the experimental design of your work (including 5-pass and multi-pass drawing).

Topic 3 could be a good basis to describe the efforts achieved during the study compared to the expected benefits in the conclusion section.

The materials and method section should additionally contain a brief description of differences between 5-pass and multi-pass drawing (5 is also a multitude). Another striking feature is that some descriptions are too wordy and not concise enough (for instance the “Removal of surface sizing” part). Contrariwise, sometimes it is too difficult for the reader to understand the argumentation, although your response to my inquiries in the letter is quite better.

I hope my remarks help you to improve the article in that way that it fits the standard of the Journal.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf