Journal Published Online: 01 March 2001
Volume 29, Issue 2

A Critical Appraisal of Fracture Toughness Measurements on AA6061 and an Al O -Particle Reinforced AA6061 Alloy for Various Heat Treatments

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

A disadvantage of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is their assumed brittleness, which results in a low KIc. A possible way to make aluminum MMCs tougher is to heat treat them. In this investigation the influence of three different heat treatments on the KIc of AA6061 and AA6061 with 20 vol% Al2O3 is investigated. Special attention is paid to the set of requirements needed to obtain a valid KIc, as in some studies these are given little attention. In MMC material, the specimen geometry is governed by the delivered shape, which increases the risk of obtaining KQ instead of KIc values. It proves to be possible to obtain valid KIc data for the MMC using the standard disk-shaped compact tension geometry.

The KIc of the MMC is around 21 MPa √m and the influence of the heat treatments on the KIc seems to be very small. The reduction in KIc by the addition of 20 vol% Al2O3 particles to AA6061 is moderate, in view of the KIc of the matrix material, which on average is 27 MPa √m.

Author Information

van Gorp, AC
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Mussert, KM
Corus Research, Development & Technology, Automative Applications, Mechanical Performance of Products, Ijmuiden, The Netherlands
Janssen, M
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Bakker, A
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
van der Zwaag, S
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE12241J
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12241J