Abstract
Metal matrix composites are candidates for elevated temperature applications. For this reason, it is important to understand their behaviour under thermal-mechanical fatigue conditions. Thermal cycling of a composite material creates thermal stresses in the composite because of thermal expansion mismatch between the fibre and the matrix. This can lead to plastic deformation of the matrix, interface damage, and fibre fracture. Mechanical cyclic loading of the composite during thermal cycling can aggravate the situation even more. A computer-controlled servo-hydraulic thermal-mechanical fatigue test system was used to perform tests on α-Al2O3(FP)/AI-2%Li metal matrix composite specimens. The volume fraction of unidirectionally aligned fibres was 35%. The tests performed were free-expansion tests, fast and slow thermal fatigue tests, and isothermal fatigue tests. Large reductions in the composite strength were observed under thermal fatigue conditions. This degradation can be attributed to observed microstructural damage of the fibre/matrix interface and fibre fracture.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
K. K. Chawla, “Composite Materials: Science and Engineering” (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1987) pp. 193–6.
W. H. Kim, M. J. Koczak andA. Lawley, in “New Developments and Applications in Composites” (TMS-AIMS, Warrendale, PA, 1979) pp. 40–53.
W. H. Hunt, in “Interfaces in Metal Matrix Composites” (TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1986) pp. 3–25.
I. W. Hall andV. Barrailler Metall. Trans.17A (1986) 1075.
K. K. Chawla, in “Precious and Rare Metal Technologies” (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1989) p. 639.
W. H. Kruger andA. K. Dhingra, in “New Composite Materials and Technology”, AIChE Symposium Series (1982) pp. 13–24.
D. T. Schmale andW. B. Jones, “A Computer Controlled Thermal Fatigue Test System”, Sandia National Laboratory Internal Report.
K. K. Chawla, Metallogr.6 (1973) 155.
K. Wakashima, T. Kawakubo andS. Umekawa, Metall. Trans.6A (1975) 1755.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kwei, L.K., Chawla, K.K. Thermal-mechanical fatigue behaviour of alumina fibre/aluminium-lithium composite. J Mater Sci 27, 1101–1106 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01197665
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01197665