Load Partitioning Study in a 3D Interpenetrating AlSi12/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Metal/Ceramic Composite

Abstract

Internal load transfer in an interpenetrating metal/ceramic composite has been studied in this work using energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. One of the samples was loaded in tension and the other one in compression. In each case, the sample was first loaded into the elastic-plastic regime, unloaded to zero stress, and reloaded beyond the prior maximum stress. Results show that at stress amounts greater than 100 MPa aluminum deforms plastically and the load is transferred to alumina and silicon. Unloading and reloading typically show reverse plastic deformation, Bauschinger effect and strain hardening in aluminum.