Abstract
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have a combination of high strength, high stiffness, and low density. The damage behavior of MMCs has been studied extensively by a combination of traditional mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, and postexperiment fractographic analysis. X-ray tomography is an excellent technique that eliminates destructive cross-sectioning, and allows for superior resolution and image quality with minimal sample preparation. In this work, we have carried out a detailed investigation of the damage behavior of SiC particle reinforced 2080 Al alloy matrix composites by X-ray synchrotron tomography. This work is unique, relative to the existing work in the literature, because it: (a) focuses on a technologically relevant MMC system (2080/SiCp), (b) uses a combination of image analysis techniques to enable visualization and damage characterization, and (c) entails a significant amount of quantitative and statistical analyses of particle fracture and void growth in the composite. A statistically significant number of particles and volume of the composite were characterized, enabling a meaningful and realistic interpretation of the results. Based on this, a detailed understanding of the micromechanisms of fracture and the quantitative influence of particle size and aspect ratio were obtained.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 6194-6205 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Acta Materialia |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2010 |
Keywords
- Metal matrix composite
- Particle fracture
- Void growth
- X-ray synchrotron
- X-ray tomography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Ceramics and Composites
- Polymers and Plastics
- Metals and Alloys