Abstract
The quality index, Q, defined as Q=UTS + klogE1 was introduced as a means to better interpret tensile test data. However, its use in the case of composite materials is often questioned. The difficulty arises from the fact that the elongations obtained are usually close to, or less than, unity. Based on a heat-treatment study of cast Al-Si-Mg/SiCp composites (359/SiCp) and an analysis of the tensile properties obtained, it is shown that the concept of quality index, as it is commonly applied, is inappropriate in describing the combined effects of UTS and E1, and it is much better, instead, to use the probable yield strength (PYS) for such materials. Respective expressions for Q and PYS have been obtained for the 359, 359/SiC/10p and 359/SiC/20p alloys studied.
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Samuel, A.M., Samuel, F.H. Relevance of the use of the quality index concept in cast SiCP-reinforced Al-Si-Mg composites. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 30, 568–572 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00356312
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00356312