Abstract
Fracture toughnesses of several composites of aluminium alloys reinforced with particulate SiC have been measured. The variables were particulate size and volume fraction, and matrix alloy composition and heat treatment. Fracture surface profiles were measured and related to fractal dimension using the techniques of quantitative metallography. The fracture surface roughness was described well by fractals, but fracture toughness did not correlate with any measure of fracture surface roughness. An explanation for this behaviour is offered.
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Davidson, D.L. Fracture surface roughness as a gauge of fracture toughness: Aluminium-particulate SiC composites. J Mater Sci 24, 681–687 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01107459
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01107459