Mechanical characteristics of hipped SiC particulate-reinforced aluminum alloy metal matrix composites

Al-Cu alloy matrix composites reinforced with various volume fraction of SiC particulates (SiCp) were prepared by conventional powder metallurgy (PM) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) processes. The tensile and fracture behavior of PM and HIPPed composites were studied. The experimental results were compared with the shear-lag, Eshelby and modified Eshelby micro-mechanics models. The composite stiffness tends to increase with increasing SiCp volume fraction. The modified Eshelby model correlated well with the experimental results whereas the stiffness prediction of shear-lag model was lower than the experimental data. The fracture stresses of PM and HIPPed metal matrix composites decrease with increasing SiCp volume fraction. This was attribute to the cracking of SiCp upon tensile deformation.