The crack initiation at the sharp edges of dispersed inclusions plays an important role in the strength of dispersion composite materials. This paper discusses the crack initiation at the tips of a flat inclusion from the viewpoint of energy release rate. On the basis of the two-dimensional theory of elasticity, numerical calculations are carried out for the energy release rate for the crack initiation. The maximum energy release rate and its direction for Poisson's ratio of matrices are figured. The tension and equivalent compression tests are performed by using epoxy resin specimens containing a flat steel inclusion. The theoretical result for the direction of the maximum energy release rate is compared with the observed crack initiation angle. Both results coincide fairly for tension tests, while they do not coincide for compression tests.
Two kinds of aluminum base composites, wire-reinforced and multilayered with stainless-steel wire meshes and foils as the reinforcements have been fabricated by means of explosive welding. Explosive welding in a low vacuum with “middle” and “base” plate inserts was examined to solve such problems as poor-bonding and local fracture of the composite constituents. Good bonding was then attained without forming voids or cracks. Electron-probe micro-analysis also revealed no evidence of diffusion of the constitutive elements across the interface. The bonding mechanism of multilayered composites was the same as in the common explosive welding, whereas that of wire-reinforced composites could be attributed to cold pressure welding of the matrix metal extruded through the mesh apertures. The UTS values of the wirereinforced composites were slightly lower than those expected from the so-called rule of mixtures (ROM). Multilayered composites, on the other hand, showed reasonable UTS values compared with ROM predictions. These composites also showed high ductility.
A simple technique for fabricating the metal matrix tubular type composite is described. SiC fiber was used as a reinforcement and was incorporated into the aluminium matrix by squeeze casting technique. The tubular type composite was cut into ring type specimen and tensile-tested at the temperature of 293, 623 and 723 K. The tubular type composite consists of a composite layer and an aluminium layer. The thickness of the composite layer could be controlled by the thickness of the wound SiC fiber layer before casting. The volume fraction of the composite layer was about 40% and did not change with the thickness of the SiC fiber layers prior to the casting. Tensile fracture behavior of the ring type composite changed remarkably with the composite layer thickness. Tensile strength decreased with increasing the testing temperature.