Abstract
Fracture toughness values of pressure die-cast Al-7Si-3 Mg-5 graphite composites were measured and found to be in the range 8–10 MPa m1/2. Detailed microstructure of the composite and the fractured surfaces were examined. Defects such as clusters, agglomerations and segregation of graphite particles, play a dominant role in accelerating the fracture process. In addition, the acicular silicon phase present in the matrix and the casting defects, such as gas and shrinkage porosities, also initiated and accelerated the crack, thus lowering the fracture toughness of the composites.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Mortensen, Proceedings of the ASM International Conference on “Fabrication of Particulates, Reinforced Metal Composites”, Montreal, Canada, September (1990), edited by J. Masounave and F. G. Hamel (ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1990) p. 217.
I. A. Ibrahim, F. A. Mohamed and E. J. Lavernia, J. Mater. Sci. 26 (1991) 1137.
S. V. Kamat, J. P. Hirth and R. Mehrabian, Acta. Metall. 37 (1989) 2395.
Y. Folm and R. J. Arsenault, ibid. 37 (1989) 2413.
Zhuri Wang and Ruby J. Zhang, Metall. Trans. 22A (1991) 1585.
P. K. Rohatgi, R. Asthana and S. Das, Int. Metals Rev. 31 (3) (1986) 115.
S. Biswas, A. Santharam, N.A.P. Rao, K. Narayanaswamy, P. K. Rohatgi and S. K. Biswas, Tribol. Int. 8 (1980) 171.
P. K. Rohatgi, S. Ray and Y. Liu, Int. Metals. Rev. 37(3) (1992) 129.
B. S. Majumdhar, A. H. Yegneswaran and P. K. Rohatgi, Mater. Sci. Eng. 68 (1984) 85.
U. T. S. Pillai, PhD thesis, IIT, New Delhi (1986).
U. T. S. Pillai, V. S. Kelukutty, B. C. Pai and K. G. Satyanarayana, Mater. Sci. Eng. A169 (1993) 93.
D. Broek, “Elementary Engineering Fracture Mechanics”, (Martinus Nijhoft, Bordrecht, 1986) p. 181.
Geetha Ramani, R. M. Pillai, B. C. Pai and T. R. Rama Mohan, Composites 22 (1991) 143.
T. G. Neih, R. A. Rainen and D. J. Chellman, in “Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Composite Materials-ICCMV”, edited by W. C. Harrigan J. Strife and A. K. Dhingra, San Diego, CA (1985) (The Metallurgical Society, AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1985) p. 825.
P. Mummery and B. Derby, Mater. Sci. Eng. A135 (1991) 221.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pillai, U.T.S., Pai, B.C., Satyanarayana, K.G. et al. Fracture behaviour of pressure die-cast aluminium-graphite composites. Journal of Materials Science 30, 1455–1461 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00375248
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00375248