SEDL / STP / STP1032-EB / STP22858S

Damage Initiation and Growth in Fiber Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites

Harmon, D
Senior engineer and section chief, Structural Research at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, McDonnell Aircraft Company, St. Louis, MO

Saff, C
Senior engineer and section chief, Structural Research at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, McDonnell Aircraft Company, St. Louis, MO

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

Elevated temperature applications for advanced fighters and hypersonic vehicles, along with advanced fabrication techniques, such as diffusion bonding and superplastic forming, have brought renewed interest in metal matrix composites for aircraft structures. In order to predict the strength and durability of metal matrix structures, it will be necessary to predict the mode in which failure occurs, such as net section failure, shear along the fiber, or other modes. Test and analysis results demonstrate the differences between strength and fatigue failure modes of uni-directionally reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMC) and those in titanium matrix composites (TMC). These tests include detailed optical and scanning electron microscope studies of failures in aluminum and titanium matrix composites.