DEVELOPMENT AND POTENTIAL OF WHISKERS FOR COMPOSITES.
Abstract
The general history of the whiskers and their development from a scientifically interesting crystal into a technically attractive reinforcement for metals and metal alloys is described. Their characteristic morphology and their important mechanical and physical properties are discussed, distinguishing clearly between the metal and the non-metal whisker types. Their variation in dimensions, i.e. in diameter and length, are considered in the light of possible application, as is their strength and their strength and elasticity modulus scatter at room temperature. The need for more knowledge about the mechanical properties of whiskers at elevated temperature is emphasized. The compatibility of whisker and matrix materials is an important requirement and in most combinations an interface which must resist compound changes at elevated temperatures over extended time periods is unavoidable. The investigations and the accumulated knowledge in this area are discussed. Future possibilities with whisker reinforced metals are theoretically considered provided the assumptions for this study can be experimentally or technically verified. However they show at least a trend of improvement with these materials. A preview into the generally possible future developments based on measured data at room and elevated temperatures of a metal matrix composite, for one example, concludes the consideration of the whisker potential. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0826385
Entities
People
- J. A. Herzog
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory