Thermal Cycling Damage in SiC Particle Reinforced Al Alloy Composite (3D x-ray synchrotron tomography)
Background
Metal matrix composites exhibit higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to monolithic alloys
Thermal expansion mismatch between ceramic reinforcement and metal matrix contributes to thermal stresses.
Objectives:
Quantify evolution of damage due to thermal cycling
-Cavitation
Microstructural effects
– Particle clusters
– Particle morphology