The Effect of Particle Size on the Thermomechanical Fatigue of Metal Matrix Composites
by
William Walker Van Arsdell
Abstract
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with discontinuous reinforcement have received a great deal of attention from researchers because of their high specific strength, high specific modulus, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, near isotropic properties, and reasonable cost (1-2). Particulate reinforced MMCs are attractive candidates for replacing metals in many high temperature applications, and it has been predicted that the commercial use of these materials will increase dramatically over the next decade (2). Despite the need to understand the high temperature isothermal fatigue (IF) and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) behavior of particulate reinforced MMCs, most research to date has been limited to monotonic deformation studies. And although particle size has been shown to have a significant effect on the monotonic (3-6) and room temperature IF (7) behavior of particulate reinforced composites, the author is unaware of any research on the particulate size effect on the high temperature IF or TMF behavior of MMCs. The objective of this research was to investigate the particle size effect on the monotonic tension, high temperature IF and TMF behavior of a 2024 aluminum alloy reinforced with 0%, 10% and 30% by volume of 2mm and 30mm silicon carbide particles (SiCp).
Download (3 MB)