Abstract
The correlation between tensile and indentation behavior in particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) was examined. The model composite system consists of a Al-Cu-Mg alloy matrix reinforced with SiC particles. The effects of particle size, particle volume fraction, and matrix aging characteristics on the interrelationship between tensile strength and macro-hardness were investigated. Experimental data indicated that, contrary to what has been documented for a variety of monolithic metals and alloys, a simple relationship between hardness and tensile strength does not exist for MMCs. While processing-induced particle fracture greatly reduces the tensile strength, it does not significantly affect the deformation under indentation loading. Even in composites where processing-induced fracture was nonexistent (due to relatively small particle size), no unique correspondence between tensile strength and hardness was observed. At very low matrix strengths, the composites exhibited similar tensile stren gths but the hardness increased with increasing particle concentration. Fractographic analyses showed that particle fracture caused by tensile testing is independent of matrix strength. The lack of unique strength-hardness correlation is not due to the particle fracture-induced weakening during the tensile test. It is proposed that, under indentation loading, enhanced matrix flow that contributes to a localized increase in particle concentration directly below the indenter results in a significant overestimation of the overall composite strength by the hardness test. Micromechanical modeling using the finite element method was used to illustrate the proposed mechanisms under indentation loading and to justify the experimental findings.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3219-3229 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Acta Materialia |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 20 2001 |
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Keywords
- Aluminum
- Composites
- Computer simulation
- Hardness testing
- Tensile testing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Materials Science(all)
- Metals and Alloys
Cite this
Correlation between tensile and indentation behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites : An experimental and numerical study. / Shen, Y. L.; Williams, J. J.; Piotrowski, G.; Chawla, Nikhilesh; Guo, Y. L.
In: Acta Materialia, Vol. 49, No. 16, 20.09.2001, p. 3219-3229.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Correlation between tensile and indentation behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites
T2 - An experimental and numerical study
AU - Shen, Y. L.
AU - Williams, J. J.
AU - Piotrowski, G.
AU - Chawla, Nikhilesh
AU - Guo, Y. L.
PY - 2001/9/20
Y1 - 2001/9/20
N2 - The correlation between tensile and indentation behavior in particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) was examined. The model composite system consists of a Al-Cu-Mg alloy matrix reinforced with SiC particles. The effects of particle size, particle volume fraction, and matrix aging characteristics on the interrelationship between tensile strength and macro-hardness were investigated. Experimental data indicated that, contrary to what has been documented for a variety of monolithic metals and alloys, a simple relationship between hardness and tensile strength does not exist for MMCs. While processing-induced particle fracture greatly reduces the tensile strength, it does not significantly affect the deformation under indentation loading. Even in composites where processing-induced fracture was nonexistent (due to relatively small particle size), no unique correspondence between tensile strength and hardness was observed. At very low matrix strengths, the composites exhibited similar tensile stren gths but the hardness increased with increasing particle concentration. Fractographic analyses showed that particle fracture caused by tensile testing is independent of matrix strength. The lack of unique strength-hardness correlation is not due to the particle fracture-induced weakening during the tensile test. It is proposed that, under indentation loading, enhanced matrix flow that contributes to a localized increase in particle concentration directly below the indenter results in a significant overestimation of the overall composite strength by the hardness test. Micromechanical modeling using the finite element method was used to illustrate the proposed mechanisms under indentation loading and to justify the experimental findings.
AB - The correlation between tensile and indentation behavior in particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) was examined. The model composite system consists of a Al-Cu-Mg alloy matrix reinforced with SiC particles. The effects of particle size, particle volume fraction, and matrix aging characteristics on the interrelationship between tensile strength and macro-hardness were investigated. Experimental data indicated that, contrary to what has been documented for a variety of monolithic metals and alloys, a simple relationship between hardness and tensile strength does not exist for MMCs. While processing-induced particle fracture greatly reduces the tensile strength, it does not significantly affect the deformation under indentation loading. Even in composites where processing-induced fracture was nonexistent (due to relatively small particle size), no unique correspondence between tensile strength and hardness was observed. At very low matrix strengths, the composites exhibited similar tensile stren gths but the hardness increased with increasing particle concentration. Fractographic analyses showed that particle fracture caused by tensile testing is independent of matrix strength. The lack of unique strength-hardness correlation is not due to the particle fracture-induced weakening during the tensile test. It is proposed that, under indentation loading, enhanced matrix flow that contributes to a localized increase in particle concentration directly below the indenter results in a significant overestimation of the overall composite strength by the hardness test. Micromechanical modeling using the finite element method was used to illustrate the proposed mechanisms under indentation loading and to justify the experimental findings.
KW - Aluminum
KW - Composites
KW - Computer simulation
KW - Hardness testing
KW - Tensile testing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035922151&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035922151&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S1359-6454(01)00226-9
DO - 10.1016/S1359-6454(01)00226-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0035922151
VL - 49
SP - 3219
EP - 3229
JO - Acta Materialia
JF - Acta Materialia
SN - 1359-6454
IS - 16
ER -