High strain rate properties of an SiC w/2124-T6 aluminum composite at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Metal matrix composites, (MMC`s) provide several important advantages over unreinforced metals and alloys. Among these, higher moduli and yield stresses and enhanced thermo-mechanical properties are normally considered important in structural applications of MMC`s. It is also possible that MMC`s may be exposed to loading conditions involving high strain rates during service, for example, components of a car in collision with another or turbine blades hit by ingestion of foreign objects. In such situations of rapidly increasing loading conditions, the material property response may be considerably different from that which applies during slow loading of normal quasi-static testing and, consequently, dynamic mechanical properties are of increasing interest and importance. Several studies involving dynamic deformation of a SiC{sub W}/2124-T6 Al MMC have already been conducted using tension, shear, compression and projectile impact testing. The purpose of the present study was to extend the high strain rate data to include high temperature effects. Mechanical test results and microstructural observations of features of dynamic deformation have been compared with data from the unreinforced alloy to obtain more complete information on the dynamic response of the composite.