Mechanical and fracture behaviour of a SiC-particle-reinforced aluminum alloy at high temperature

The compressive characteristics and fracture behavior of CW67 aluminum alloy and of a composite based on CW67 alloy were studied under unaxial compressive loading in the temperature range 25-400 degrees C, at a constant strain rate of 2.4 x 10(3)s(-1). The yield strength values of the composite were higher than those of the monolithic alloy at all temperatures. The ultimate strength values of the composite were lower at room temperature, but higher at elevated temperatures when compared with those of the monolithic alloy. The composite exhibited lower ductility than the monolithic alloy in the entire temperature range. High concentration of SiC particles in the structure of CW67 composite affected its compressive properties. At higher temperatures, it behaved like a typical precipitation hardened alloy, in other words, with temperature increase the main influence on the mechanical properties occurred in its matrix. When temperature rises, the fracture process changes from particle cracking and particle agglomerate decohesion (at room temperature) to particle matrix debonding (at high temperature).Current Research in Advanced Materials and Processes, 6th Conference of the Yugoslav-Materials-Research-Society, Sep 13-17, 2004, Herceg Novi, Montenegr