Fracture toughness of particulate-reinforced aluminum-matrix composites
The objectives of this investigation were (a) to determine how microstructural parameters affect macroscopic properties, such as fracture toughness and tensile properties, in such composites, (b) to shed more light on the failure mechanisms operative in such composites and (c) to determine the effect of combined mode I - mode III loading conditions on fracture behavior. Two aluminum alloy matrices, 2014 Al and 2024 Al, reinforced with alumina particulates of different sizes and volume fraction were investigated. Tension and fracture toughness tests were performed on these composites in the as cast condition. The results indicated that increasing volume fraction of alumina, for a constant alumina particulate size, increased the yield and the ultimate tensile strengths but decreased the strain to failure and the fracture toughness. Also, for a constant volume fraction, composites with larger alumina particulate sizes exhibited higher fracture toughnesses but lower yield strengths, ultimate tensile strengths and strains to failure. The results also indicated that optimization of fracture toughness and yield strength can be achieved by plotting these properties against interparticle spacing and the qualitative trends in the experimental data agreed with theoretical predictions linking fracture toughness and yield strength with interparticle spacing.
- Research Organization:
- Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5216772
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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