Influence of Thermal Strain on Thermal Properties of Composites

The temperature dependence of the thermal expansion characteristics of the AS21 magnesium alloy, AS21–25 vol% Saffil fiber composite and the Mg-10 vol% Saffil fiber composite has been measured in the temperature range from 20 to 380°C. The expansion characteristics were influenced by the residual and thermal strains. The residual strain was removed within the first thermal cycle. The relative elongation of the tensile pre-deformed AS21–25 vol% Saffil fiber composite is lower than that for the sample without deformation and for the composite pre-deformed in compression. The anisotropy of the thermal expansion is demonstrated on the Mg-10 vol% Saffil fiber composite. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the transverse direction (TD) (the planes of the short Saffil fibers are laid perpendicular to the axis of the sample) is higher than the CTE in the longitudinal direction (LD) (the planes of the short Saffil fibers are laid parallel to the axis of the sample). The anisotropy and the thermal strain influence the thermal diffusivity for AS21 composites investigated at temperatures between 20 and 380°C.