Micromechanisms of Fatigue Crack Growth and Fracture Toughness in Metal Matrix Composites.

Abstract

Fracture toughness of several composites of aluminum alloys reinforced with particulate SiC have been measured. Variables were particulate size and volume fraction, and matrix alloy composition and heat treatment. Fracture surface profiles were measured and related to fractile dimension using the techniques of quantitive metallography. Fracture surface roughness was described well by fractals, but fracture toughness did not correlate with any measure of fracture roughness. An explanation for this behavior is offered. Keywords: Metal matrix composites, Silicon carbide reinforcement, Fatigue crack growth, Fracture toughness, Particulate strengthening, Crack growth micromechanisms.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA186941

Entities

People

  • D. L. Davidson

Organizations

  • Southwest Research Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Aluminum Alloys
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Composite Materials
  • Contracts
  • Elements
  • Fast Fractures
  • Fractography
  • Image Processing
  • Materials
  • Metal Matrix Composites
  • Military Research
  • Processing Equipment
  • Silicon Carbide
  • Surface Roughness
  • Test Methods
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Theoretical Analysis.