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The mechanical response of a 6061-T6 Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} metal matrix composite at high rates of deformation

Journal Article · · Acta Metallurgica et Materialia
; ;  [1]
  1. Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

The mechanical properties of a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy reinforced with a 20 vol% fraction of alumina particles and of an unreinforced 6061-T6 alloy are studied over a range of strain rates (10{sup {minus}4} to 6 {times} 10{sup 5} s{sup {minus}1}) using quasistatic compression, compression and torsion Kolsky Bars, and high strain rate pressure-shear plate impact. At a given strain rate the composite displays increased strength but essentially the same strain hardening as the matrix. However, the composite displays a stronger rate-sensitivity than does the unreinforced alloy at high rates of deformation (> 10{sup 3} s{sup {minus}1}). The rate-sensitivity of the unreinforced alloy is shown to be largely the result of the imposed strain rate rather than of the rate history. For quasistatic deformations, a model proposed by Bao et al. (1991) describes the behavior of the composite fairly accurately given the behavior of the unreinforced alloy. This paper presents an extension of the model that is able to predict the dynamic behavior of the composite given the dynamic response of the monolithic alloy.

OSTI ID:
178010
Journal Information:
Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Metallurgica et Materialia Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 43; ISSN 0956-7151; ISSN AMATEB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English