Predicting the time-temperature dependent axial failure of B/A1 composites

Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted in order to understand and predict the effects of time, temperature, and stress on the axial failure modes of boron fibers and B/A1 composites. Due to the anelastic nature of boron fiber deformation, it was possible to determine simple creep functions which can be employed to accurately describe creep and fracture stress of as-produced fibers. Analysis of damping and strength data for B/6061 A1 composites indicates that fiber creep effects of creep on fiber fracture are measurably reduced by the composite fabrication process. The creep function appropriate for fibers with B/Al composites was also determined. A fracture theory is presented for predicting the time-temperature dependence of the axial tensile strength for metal matrix composites in general and B/A1 composites in particular