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