Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In situ SEM studies on the effects of particulate reinforcement on fatigue crack growth mechanism of aluminium-based metal-matrix composite

  • Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of particulate reinforcement on the fatigue behaviour and fatigue mechanisms of two 6061 aluminium-based metal-matrix composites (MMCs) in three different heattreatment conditions were studied in situ with a scanning electron microscope and compared to the unreinforced alloy in the as-received condition. It was observed that the fatigue properties of the MMCs were influenced by the ceramic particles in two ways: firstly the particles increased the fatigue stress intensity threshold mainly by crack-deflection and crack-closure mechanisms, and secondly, the particles raised the fatigue crack growth rates in the Paris region by providing an easy crack path. The effect of ageing was small on the fatigue stress intensity threshold of MMCs, but for the peak-aged MMCs the fatigue crack growth rates in the Paris region were faster. The mechanism of fatigue crack growth was largely associated with the matrix/particle interface and the linkage with subcracks initiated ahead of the main crack at high applied stress intensity factors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. S. Yau and G. Mayer, Mater. Sci. Eng. 82 (1986) 45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. W. A. Logsdon and P. K. Liaw, Eng. Fract. Mech. 24 (1986) 737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. S. V. Nair, J. K. Tien and R. C. Bates, Int. Met. Rev. 30 (1985) 275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. J. K. Shang and R. O. Ritchie, Metall. Trans. A 20 (1989) 897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. D. L. Davidson, ibid. 22 (1991) 97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Idem, Acta Metall. 36 (1988) 2275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. T. Christman and S. Suresh, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 102 (1988) 211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. S. B. Biner, Fat. Fract. Eng. Mater. Struct. 13 (1990) 637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. J. C. Healy and C. J. Beevers, Mater. Sci. Eng. A142 (1991) 183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. S. Kumai, J. E. King and J. F. Knott, Fat. Fract. Eng. Mater. Struct. 13 (1990) 511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. O. Ø. Mouritsen and B. L. Karihaloo, Mater. Forum 15 (1990) 360.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Y. Murakami, “Stress Intensity Factors Handbook” (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  13. D. R. Williams and M.E. Fine, in “Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Composite Materials”, edited by W. C. Harrigan, J. Strlef and A. K. Dhingra (1985) p. 639.

  14. M. J. Hadianfard, G. Heness, J. Healy and Y. M. Mai, Fat. Fract. Eng. Mater. Struct. 17 (1994) 253.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M. Levin and B. Karlsson, Mater. Sci. Technol. 7 (1991) 596.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. M. J. Hadianfard, PhD thesis, Sydney University, Australia (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  17. M. J. Hadianfard, J. Healy and Y. W. Mai, in “Proceedings of Advanced Composite 93”, Wollongong, Australia, edited by T. Chandra, A.K. Dhingra (TMS, Warrendale, PA, 1993) pp. 1199–206.

    Google Scholar 

  18. A. K. Vasudevan and K. Sadananda, Scripta Metall. Mater. 28 (1993) 837.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Duralcan data sheet, Duralcan USA, 10505 Roselle Street, San Diego, CA 92121 (1990).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Materials Technology (CAMT), Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    M. J. Hadianfard & Y. -W. Mai

Authors
  1. M. J. Hadianfard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Y. -W. Mai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hadianfard, M.J., Mai, Y.W. In situ SEM studies on the effects of particulate reinforcement on fatigue crack growth mechanism of aluminium-based metal-matrix composite. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 30, 5335–5346 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351543

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351543

Keywords

Search

Navigation