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Fracture mechanism; microstructural parameters; fracture toughness; aluminium alloy matrix composite

Fracture toughness tests were performed on two aluminium alloy matrices, 2014-0 and 2024-0 reinforced with alumina particulates of different volume fractions and particulate sizes so as to investigate the fracture mechanisms operative in such composites and to determine how microstructural parameters such as volume fraction, particulate size and interparticle spacing affect the fracture toughness. The results indicate that fracture occurred by a locally ductile mechanism. The fracture toughness increased with increasing particle spacing provided that the particle size was less than a limiting value, above which unstable crack growth occurred and the toughness lowered.

S V Kamat¹ J P Hirth^{1 2}

1. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, P. O. Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad - 500 258, India
2. Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA - 99164, USA

Published

October 1991

Manuscript received

27 May 1991