Influence of composition and distribution of the reinforcing particles on fatigue properties of metal matrix composites

Abstract

Fatigue-life-time behaviour bas been examined of extruded 6061 aluminium alloy composites reinforced with 15 vol.% SiC and 10 vol.% Al2O3 particles. The peak particle sizes are at about 4.5 and 6 µm. Within measured S-N curves the fatigue life-time at given stress amplitudes of SiCp/AA6061 is superiour to that of Al2O3p/AA6061 in the low-cycle fatigue region as well as in the high-cycle fatigue region. The discussion of these results has been done by means of theoretical evaluated crack propagation curves. Interfacial bonding has been studied by means of TEM investigations