Effect of ceramic preform geometry on load partitioning in Al2O3–Al composites with three-dimensional periodic architecture

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 526; no. 1-2; pp. 190 - 196
• Main Authors: Young, M.L., Rao, R., Almer, J.D., Haeffner, D.R., Lewis, J.A., Dunand, D.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 25.11.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aluminum; Applied sciences; Compression test; Dispersion hardening metals; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metal matrix composites (MMC); Metals. Metallurgy; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Synchrotron radiation; X-ray diffraction (XRD); Metal matrix composites (MMC); X-ray diffraction (XRD); Aluminum; Compression test; Synchrotron radiation; Melt infiltration; Aluminium oxide; Metal matrix composite; Elasticity; Aluminium; X ray diffraction; Composite material; Dispersion strengthened metal; Inorganic compound; Interpenetrating network; Uniaxial compression; Applied load; Damaging
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2009.07.033

Interpenetrating Al2O3/Al composites were created by liquid-metal infiltration of 3D periodic ceramic preforms with face-centered-tetragonal symmetry produced by direct-write assembly. Volume-averaged lattice strains in the ceramic phase of the composite were measured by synchrotron X-ray diffraction for various levels of uniaxial compression stresses. Load transfer is found to occur from the metal phase to the ceramic phase, and the magnitude of the effect is in general agreement with simple rule-of-mixtures models. Spatially resolved diffraction measurements show variations in load transfer at two different positions within the composite for the elastic- and damage-deformation regimes, the latter being observed using phase-enhanced synchrotron imaging. The mechanical behavior of these interpenetrating Al2O3/Al composites with face-centered-tetragonal symmetry are compared with previous interpenetrating Al2O3/Al composites with simple-tetragonal symmetry.