Thermal residual stresses in metal matrix composites: A review

Abstract

Recently, metal matrix composites (MMCs) have generated a considerable interest in the materials field because of their attractive physical and mechanical properties. However, during the fabrication of MMCs, thermal residual stresses are reportedly developed in the matrix as a result of the mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficients between the reinforcement and the matrix. It is well established that these residual stresses have a significant effect on the composite properties. For example, due to the presence of thermal residual stresses, it is almost never possible to achieve the maximum elastic response of the composites. In addition, yield stress and fracture toughness of the composites are significantly affected by thermal residual stresses. In this paper, a critical review of the published literature on thermal residual stresses in MMCs and their effect on composite properties are presented. Also, experimental and numerical techniques that are currently available to measure and estimate thermal residual stresses are reviewed and discussed.