A computer simulation on tensile strength of surface-Damaged fibers

The strength of surface-damaged fibers was studied by means of a computer simulation experiment based on the Monte-Carlo method using a simple model which assumes that the surface flaws can be regarded as mode I notches on fiber surfaces, the strength of undamaged fibers obeys the Weibull distribution function, and the largest flaw determines the strength of damaged fibers. Normal and exponential distribution functions were taken as the flaw size distribution function. By employing the present simulation method, the effects of average flaw size, coefficient of variation of flaw size, density of flaws, and gage length on average strength and its coefficient of variation were studied. It was found that the surface-damaged fibers can retain their full strength only when the average flaw size is small, the coefficient of variation of flaw size is small, density of flaw size is low, and gage length is short. Otherwise the average strength of damaged fibers was reduced seriously. It was emphasized that the scatter of size of flaws and density of flaws strongly affect the strength of fibers as well as flaw size and gage length.     

A computer simulation of strength of metal matrix

The deformation and fracture behavior of metal matrix composites with a reaction layer at the fiber-matrix interface was studied by means of a computer simulation experiment, using a two-dimensional model, and the results of the simulation experiment were compared with the predictions based on the single fiber model, which has been proposed to describe the reduction of strength of composites due to a reaction layer. In the simulation experiment, the composite was regarded as an assembly of single fiber elements, in which, for each element, the reaction layer introduces a notch on the fiber surface when it is broken, which reduces the strength of the fiber if the thickness of the layer is thinner than a critical value, as has been studied by using the single fiber model. The strength of composites was reduced with increasing thickness of the reaction layer and the fracture mode became catastrophic. The strength values obtained by the simulation were equal to those based on the single fiber model only when the fracture of the fiber was caused by the extension of the notch having been introduced by premature fracture of the reaction layer. In other cases, the strength values of the simulation were lower than those predicted by the single fiber model, although the single fiber model gave approximate values.     

The strength of metal matrix composites

There is intensive interest in metal matrix composites (MMCs) for automotive components, and the first production applications in Japan use discontinuous fibers as the reinforcements. These fibers are randomly oriented, resulting in an MMC with isotropic properties. However, there are conflicting reports on the tensile strengths attainable. In some cases, the strength increases with increasing volume fraction(V _f) of fibers, while in other cases, there is little or no benefit. A simple method is proposed to calculate the strength of this type of MMC. It is shown that the fibers oriented perpendicular to the stress direction play a key role, and the strength depends upon the strength of the interfacial bond. Upper and lower limits of the composite strength are calculated. If the bond strength is larger than the matrix strength, the composite strength has a maximum value which increases withV _f. If the bond strength is weaker than the matrix, the composite strength has a minimum value which is either weakly dependent or even independent ofV _f. These calculations are in good agreement with examples taken from the literature of aluminum composites reinforced with either A1₂O₃, graphite, or SiC. The strength of the matrix alloy is shown to be a very important parameter: weak alloys are easily strengthened, while in certain cases, strong alloys may be weakened.     

Creep behavior of fiber reinforced metal matrix composites

A theoretical model of the creep behavior of metal matrix composites having strong fiber-matrix interfaces is described in terms of creep parameters of the matrix and fibers. The available experimental data, obtained from the unidirectionally solidified aluminum-nickel eutectic containing 10 vol pct Al₃Ni fibers, are in good agreement with the theoretical model. The creep activation energy of the composite is described in terms of the creep activation energy of fibers and the matrix. The experimentally de-termined data of (Co, Cr)-(Co, Cr)₇C₃ and Al-Al₃Ni eutectics are in agreement with those values as predicted. Formerly a Visiting Scholar, Materials Department, University of California, Los Angeles.     

The transverse tensile properties of boron fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites

The transverse tensile properties of boron fiber reinforced aluminum have been determined as a function of fabrication parameters, matrix alloy and fiber types, fiber content, specimen geometry, and thermal environment. Matrix alloys investigated include 2024, 6061, 5052, 5056, 2219, 1100, and Al-7 pct Si. The fibers investigated include 4.0 mil boron, 4.2 mil BORSIC, R.F. boron, 5.6 mil boron, 5.7 mil BORSIC, and 4.0 mil silicon carbide. It was shown that the composite transverse tensile performance is a function of all of these variables and that transverse strengths of up to 45,000 psi can be achieved by the choice of the proper combination of matrix, fiber type and fabrication procedures.     

Tensile and fatigue behavior of Al-based metal matrix composites reinforced with continuous carbon or alumina fibers: Part I. Quasi-unidirectional composites

The thermomechanical (dilatometric, tensile, and fatigue) behavior of Al-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) is investigated. These composites are reinforced by quasi-unidirectional (quasi-UD) woven fabric preforms with 90 pct of continuous fibers in the longitudinal direction and 10 pct in the transverse direction. The two composite systems investigated feature a highly ductile matrix (AU2: Al-2Cu wt pct) with a strongly bonded fiber-matrix interface (N610 alumina fibers) and an alloyed, high-strength matrix (A357: Al-7Si-0.6Mg wt pct) with a weak fiber-matrix interface (K139 carbon fibers). Microstructural investigation of the tested specimens has permitted identification of the specific characteristics of these composites: undulation of the longitudinal bundles, presence of the straight transverse bundles, interply shearing, and role of brittle phases. Moreover, simple semiquantitative models (e.g., interply shearing) have enabled explanation of the specific mechanical behavior of these quasi-UD composites, which exhibit high tensile and fatigue strengths, as compared with the corresponding pure UD composites. Knowledge of the specific characteristics and mechanical behavior of these quasi-UD composites will facilitate the further investigation of the (0, ±45, 90 deg) quasi-UD laminates (Part II). At a more theoretical viewpoint, the specific geometry and behavior of these quasi-UD composites allows exacerbation of fatigue mechanisms, even more intense than in “model” composites.     

Temperature-dependence mechanism of tensile strength of Si-Ti-C-0 Fiber-Aluminum matrix composites

The mechanism for the temperature dependence of the tensile strength of unidirectional hybrid type Si-Ti-C-O (Tyranno) fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composite, in which SiC-particles are dispersed in the matrix, is discussed, focusing on the temperature dependencies of the stress concentration arising from broken fibers and critical length and their influences on the composite strength, by means of a shear-lag analysis and a Monte Carlo simulation. The main results are summarized as follows. The softening of the matrix at high temperatures raises the composite strength from the point of decrease in stress concentration, but on the other hand, it also reduces strength from the point of increase in critical length, which reduces the stress-carrying capacity of broken fibers over a long distance. The reason why the measured strength of composite decreased with increasing temperature could be attributed to the predominacy of the latter effect over the former one. The results of the simulation indicated that the hybridization of the composites improved room-temperature and high-temperature strengths through the strengthening of the matrix.     

碳纤维表面状态及其对复合材料剪切性能的影响

采用X射线衍射仪和扫描电镜观察了碳纤维表面的微观结构以及复合材料的截面形貌,分析了进口碳纤维和国产碳纤维的表面状态差异,以及此差异对碳纤维复合材料进行层间剪切强度(ILSS)的影响.结果表明进口碳纤维表面粗糙度更大,沟槽深度和宽度均大于国产碳纤维.在树脂基复合材料中,进口碳纤维与树脂基体结合更为紧密,固化后形成制件的孔隙率更低,其室温和高温层间剪切强度都高于相应国产碳纤维体系.因此,尽管表面处理会对碳纤维表面造成一定的影响,但处理后得到的高粗糙度表面是纤维在复合材料中形成较强界面的根本原因.     

化学镀碳纤维增强羟基磷灰石复合材料的性能

通过化学镀方法,在碳纤维表面分别镀上Ni和Cu+Ni镀层,以这种表面改性碳纤维与羟基磷灰石陶瓷复合,制备表面改性碳纤维增韧增强羟基磷灰石复合材料,研究各种碳纤维的含量对复合材料的抗弯强度、断裂韧度、尺寸变化率和孔隙率的影响。结果表明,表面改性碳纤维可以显著提高材料的性能,尤其是铜镍复合镀碳纤维的效果更好,其断裂韧度可达基体断裂韧度的2.5倍,抗弯强度可达基体抗弯强度的3.4倍,增韧增强后的复合材料的尺寸和孔隙率变化不大。     

Influences of matrix ductility,interfacial bonding strength,and fiber volume fraction on tensile strength of unidirectional metal matrix composite

A trial to predict the influences of ductility of matrix, interfacial bonding strength, and volume fraction of fiber on the tensile strength of unidirectional metal matrix composites was attempted by means of a Monte Carlo computer simulation method. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) The strength of strongly bonded composites increased with increasing ductility of matrix and then remained nearly constant. (2) When the matrix was ductile, the strength of composite increased with increasing interfacial bonding strength and then remained nearly constant. When the matrix was not ductile, the strength increased but then decreased with interfacial bonding strength. In this case, there was an optimum bonding strength, for which the strength of composite was highest. (3) Concerning the strength of composite as a function of volume fraction of fiber, there arose the case where it is approximately described by the rule of mixtures and also the case where it is not described by this rule, depending on the ductility of matrix, interfacial bonding strength, and scatter of strength of fiber.     

The tensile strength of 339 aluminum reinforced with kaowool fibers: A comparison of T5 and T6 heat treatments

This study compares the effects of T5 and T6 heat treatment on the tensile strengths of both KAOWOOL fiber reinforced and unreinforced 339 aluminum. The 339 Al-T6 is stronger than 339 Al-T5 (as expected), but for a KAOWOOL/339 Al composite, the T5 condition is substantially stronger than the T6. The controlling parameter is the strength of the aluminum dendrites, which in turn is proportional to the concentration of magnesium retained in the dendrites. In the T5 condition, more than half of the magnesium is in the form of large intermetallics in both the unreinforced alloy and the KAOWOOL/339 Al composite. During a T6 heat treatment, magnesium in the intermetallics is redissolved. In the unreinforced T6 alloy, this additional magnesium is retained in and strengthens the dendrites. But in the T6 composite, the magnesium segregates extensively to the KAOWOOL/aluminum interfaces depleting and softening the dendrites. This factor alone is sufficient to account for the low strength of the T6 composites. The tensile strengths of both the T5 and T6 composites correspond to the calculated values for a perfectly bonded system.     

Control of interfacial reactions during liquid phase processing of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with INCONEL 601 fibers

A comprehensive investigation is made of the parameters affecting the extent of interface reactions during squeeze casting of composites consisting of a matrix of either pure Al or alloy AS13 reinforced with fibers of INCONEL 601. The process parameters are the preform thickness and temperature, the fiber volume fraction, the temperature and mass of the liquid metal, and the temperature of the die. Adjustment of these process parameters made possible the full control of reactions. It is found that reactions proceed mainly in the solid state after decomposition of the oxide barrier layer covering the fibers. A simple kinetic model is developed that enlightens the role of this barrier layer. No trace of reaction could be detected in composites processed using preoxidized preforms. Alloying Al with Si also induces a drastic reduction of reactivity. The high ductility of the composites attests to the processing quality. An original procedure is proposed for measuring the activation energy for initiation of reactions by differential thermal analysis.     

Processing and creep characterization of a model metal matrix composite: Lead reinforced with nickel fibers

A metal matrix composite material consisting of short nickel fibers in a lead matrix has been produced by foil lamination and press bonding. A good degree of fiber alignment has been achieved by passing the laminate through a weak magnetic field prior to press bonding. Tension creep tests of the composite material were conducted in the temperature range of 423 to 523 K (150 °C to 250 °C). The steady-state creep rate was seen to depend strongly on stress and temperature. The measured stress exponent for the steady-state creep rate is 9.9 over the range of test temperatures. The creep activation energy for the composite is calculated to be 152 kJ/mol. Analysis of the fracture surfaces of the composite shows that the composite fails by debonding at the interface and by void formation in the matrix. Simple continuum mechanics modeling of the creep of this composite gives qualitative agreement with the experimental results in the steady state but falls short of accurately predicting the steady-state creep rate.     

Tensile and fatigue behavior of Al-based metal matrix composites reinforced with continuous carbon or alumina fibers: Part II. Quasi-unidirectional composite cross-ply laminates

The mechanical behavior (tension, fatigue, and notch sensitivity) of Al-based metal matrix composite (MMC) cross-ply laminates is investigated. The two selected laminates, K139/A357 and N610/AU2, are reinforced by continuous K139 (carbon) or N610 (alumina) fibers. These multiplies consist in the stacking of (quasi-unidirectional) quasi-UD preforms oriented at 0, ±45, and 90 deg, the thermomechanical behavior of the corresponding quasi-UD composites being reported independently (Part I). The investigated cross-ply laminates exhibit attractive static and cyclic performances and a low notch (circular hole) sensitivity. High-resolution microfractography has led to a better understanding of the fracture mechanisms of these materials. In this respect, the role of the transverse bundles is dominant in the tensile and fatigue failure of both laminates. However, the failure surfaces are completely different: long fiber pullout in the K139/A357 laminate and much more planar areas in the N610/AU2 laminate. Due to the rather low notch sensitivity, a large portion of the specimen section was already highly damaged during a non-negligible part of the fatigue life: debonded interfaces in the K139/A357 laminate and multicracked and “crumbled” matrix in the N610/AU2 laminate. These mechanisms are in good agreement with the weak interface in the first case and the very low yield stress of the AU2 matrix, much lower than the fatigue limit of the N610/AU2 laminate, in the second case. Moreover, compared to the quasi-UD composites, the stress concentration around the notch allows further exacerbation of the fatigue mechanisms, much more intense than that attained in “model” composites.