Residual stresses in silicon carbide particulate reinforced aluminum composites

In metal matrix composites (MMCs) residual stresses are unavoidable during cooling from high temperature in fabrication or heat treatment because of the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the matrix and the reinforcement. In particle reinforced MMC the residual stresses have been proved to be hydrostatic in this study by both experiments and mathematical analysis. A very slight surface effect on the measured stresses was predicted in the case Cu Kα radiation was used. The residual stresses were determined to be tensile in the Al matrix and compressive in the reinforcement. A reduction in residual stress magnitudes of both the matrix and reinforcement was observed after the sample was cooled into liquid nitrogen and heated back to room temperature, which is believed to be caused by plastic deformation of the matrix in low temperature treatment.