Abstract
Al-graphite composites have been prepared by a liquid metallurgical technique for three different weight (or volume) fractions as well as three different particulate sizes to study the effect of the volume fraction and size of particulates on fracture toughness of graphite composites. The major findings are 1. (i) the toughness of graphite composites increases with volume fraction of graphite 2. (ii) decreases with particulate size at a given volume fraction of graphite 3. (iii) decreases with increasing inter-particulate spacing. The results were further compared for the cast and the forged composites. The crack size factor and the process zone size of these composites have heen evaluated. The process zone size is found to be of the order of 0.5 to 1.5 times CTOD. The micromechanism of fracture has heen studied and correlated with fracture toughness. The result indicates that the forged composites possess superior property than the cast composites for a given volume fraction as well as the particulate size.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
