High Strain Rate Deformation Behavior of a Continuous Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

An aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced with continuous unidirectional α-Al2O3 fibers has been compression tested at quasi-static and dynamic strain rates. In the transverse direction, the composite showed increased flow stress and maximum stress within the studied strain rate regime, 10−3 to 3500 s−1. The strain rate sensitivity of the flow stress in this direction was found to be similar to that of a similar, but unreinforced, alloy determined from previous work. In the longitudinal direction, the maximum stress of the composite increased with increasing strain rate within the range 10−5 to 700 s−1. The strain rate dependent maximum stress in this direction was described by the strain rate dependent fiber buckling stress.