The micromechanisms of fracture in metal matrix composites

Thesis



The effects of systematic variations in the size and volume fraction of reinforcing phase on the mechanical properties of and fracture processes in silicon carbide particlereinforced aluminium matrix composites have been studied.

Tensile tests to failure have been performed to determine the mechanical properties of the composites. A simple model has been proposed for this behaviour.

The micromechanisms of fracture have been investigated by a combination of fractographic and dynamic techniques. Matched fracture halves have been obtained from the composites and the fracture processes elucidated. Fracture proceeded by a ductile void nucleation, growth and coalescence mechanism. Void nucleation occurred at the reinforcing phase, with a change in nucleation mechanism on varying the micrstructural parameters. A simple critical stress criterion has been proposed for the nucleation process. Support for this proposal has been obtained by the study of sections through the failed tensile specimens.

In situ scanning electron microscopy fracture studies have been performed. These revealed void nucleation before the onset of macroscopic cracking. Crack propagation has been shown to occur by the concurrent formation of microcracks ahead of the crack tip and failure of the joining matrix ligaments. The magnitude of matrix deformation has been shown to determine the extent of microcracking.

Acoustic emissions have been monitored during tensile straining. Void nucleation events have been recorded from the onset of plastic deformation and continuing throughout the plastic régime until final failure. The suppression of void coalescence by the constaint imposed on matrix flow by rigidly-bonded interfaces has been proposed to account for the extended void growth in materials containing fractured particles. The importance of the local values of the microstructural parameters on the far-field strain at nucleation has been shown.

Authors: Mummery, P; Mummery, Paul Malcolm

• Publication date: 1991
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-nraj4vejr
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fracture; Fractography; Mechanical properties; Metallic composites