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Thermal fatigue resistance of discontinuously reinforced cast aluminum-matrix composites

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Abstract

The thermal fatigue resistance of AlSi alloys and discontinuously reinforced Al-matrix composites containing graphite, silicon carbide, and fly ash particulates, and short alumina (Saffil) fibers was characterized by measuring the total length of microcracks on gravity-cast and squeeze-cast test specimens as a function of number of thermal cycles (1000–5000 cycles, 270 K amplitude). In each thermal cycle, the test specimens were heated and stabilized in air at 375 °C, water quenched, and air stabilized. In all specimens, the total crack length on a specified region increased with increasing number of thermal cycles. Whereas among monolithic alloys, squeeze-cast Al-12SiCuNiMg alloy exhibited better resistance to thermal cracking than Al-25Si and Al-20SiNi alloys, among the composites, squeeze-cast Al-alumina and Al-fly ash composites exhibited the best thermal fatigue resistance. The theoretical estimates of the thermal fatigue resistance of these composites are consistent with the experimental observations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Foundry Research Institute, 73 Zakopianska St., 30-418, Krakow, Poland

    J. Sobczak, N. Sobczak & P. Darlak

  2. Technical University of Lublin, 36 Nadbystrzycka St., 20-618, Lublin, Poland

    Z. Slawinski

  3. Manufacturing Engineering, Technology Dept., University of Wisconsin-Stout, 54751, Menomonie, WI

    R. Asthana

  4. Materials Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 53201, Milwaukee, WI

    P. Rohatgi

Authors
  1. J. Sobczak
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  2. N. Sobczak
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  3. P. Darlak
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  4. Z. Slawinski
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  5. R. Asthana
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  6. P. Rohatgi
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Sobczak, J., Sobczak, N., Darlak, P. et al. Thermal fatigue resistance of discontinuously reinforced cast aluminum-matrix composites. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 11, 595–602 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1361/105994902770343566

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1361/105994902770343566

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