Internal Stress in an Alumina/Silicon Carbide Whisker Composite

Abstract

The internal stress state in a Al2O3-SiC composite has been studied with X-ray diffraction and with calculations with a modified Eshelby model. The influence (on the internal stress state) of volume fraction, temperature, geometric shape, and the orientation of the silicon carbide particles are discussed. The stress tensors were measured in both the matrix and in the reinforcing phase, and the macro- and microstresses were separated for ail the components. Good agreement with the microstresses for the Eshelby model is found in all cases.Results from X-ray diffraction experiments at low temperature (45-295 K) on the coefficient of thermal expansion are also presented.