Abstract
The mechanical and physical properties of aluminum-matrix composites reinforced with high-performance continuous alumina fibers are reviewed and compared with those of other structural materials. Continuous-fiber reinforced aluminum-matrix compositesoffer outstanding improvements in specific strength and specific stiffness over conventional alloys and particulate composites. Thelongitudinal tensile strength of an aluminum matrix reinforced with 55–65 vol.% alumina fibers is in the range ofl.4-1.9 GPa, the longitudinal Young's modulus is 220–240 GPa, and the density is 3.2-3.4 g/cm3. The mechanisms of strengthening and fracture under longitudinal, transverse, and shear loading are reviewed. Examples of applications are presented that are representative of the range of product forms being developed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashby, “Criteria for Selecting the Components of Composites,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 41 (1993), p. 1313.
I.A. Ibrahim, F.A. Mohamed, and E.J. Lavernia, “Particu-late Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites—A Review,” J. Materials Science, 26 (1991), pp. 1137–1156.
N.L. Hancox, Fabrication of Composite Materials(Amsterdam, the Netherlands: North Holland, 1983), p. 1.
K.K. Chawla, Composite Materials (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1987), p. 92.
N. Eustathopoulos and A. Mortensen, Fundamentals of Metal Matrix Composites, ed. S. Suresh, A. Needleman, and A. Mortensen (London: Butterworth, 1993), p. 42.
A.J. Cook and P.S. Werner, “Pressure Infiltration Casting of Metal Matrix Composites,” Material Science and Engineering, A144 (1991), pp. 189–206.
A. Das et al., International Symposium on Advances in Cast Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (Materials Park, OH: ASM, 1988), p. 139.
H. Nakanishi et al., ed., “Ultrasound-Assisted Pressure-less Infiltration of Molten Aluminum into Alumina Capillaries,” J. Materials Science Letters, 12 (1993), p. 1313.
A.K. Dhingra, “Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Fibre FP (α-Al2O3),” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, A294 (1980), p. 559.
A.K. Ghosh, Fundamentals of Metal Matrix Composites, ed. S. Suresh, A. Mortensen, and A. Needleman (London: Butterworth, 1993), p. 119.
P.G. Partridge and C.M. Ward-Close, “Processing of Advanced Continuous Fibre Composites: Current Practices and Potential Developments,” International Materials Reviews (1993), p. 1.
A.R. Champion et al., Proceedings of 1978 International Conference on Composite Materials (New York: au]ME, 1978), p. 883.
Carlos Levi, University of California at Santa Barbara, private communication.
A.S Chen et al., “Tensile Property Evaluation of Continuous Fiber MMC,” Advanced Composites Letters, 3 (1994), pp. 99–102.
D. Wilson, “Alumina Fiber Development at 3M,” Proceedings of the 14th Conference on Carbon and Ceramic Matrix Composites, NASA, Conference Publication 3097, Part I, ed. J.D. Buckley (1990).
“Nextel 312,” Material Data Sheet, Ceramic Material Department, 3M, St. Paul, MN 55144.
A.G. Evans, “The Mechanical Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic, Metal and Intermetallic Matrix Composites,” Materials Science and Engineering, A143 (1991), p. 63.
W. Curtin, “Ultimate Strength of Fibre-Reinforced Ceramic and Metals,” Composites, 24 (1993), p. 98–102.
S. Jansson, H.E. Deve, and A.G. Evans, “The Anisotropic Properties of a Titanium Matrix Composite Reinforced with SiC Fibers,” Metallurgical Transactions A, 22A (1991), p. 2975.
M.S. Hu et al., “The Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloys Reinforced with Continuous A12O3 Fibers,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 40 (1992), p. 2315.
C. McCullough and H.E. Deve, “Mechanical Response of Continuous Fiber Reinforced A12O3 / Aluminum Composites Produced by Pressure Infiltration Casting,” Materials Science and Engineering, A189 (1994), pp. 147–154.
H.C. Cao, J. Yang, and A.G. Evans, “The Mode I Fracture Resistance of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia,40 (1992), p. 2307.
Z.Z. Du and R.M. McMeeking, “Control of Strength Anisotropy of Metal Matrix Fiber Composites,” J. Computer au]ded Materials Design, 1 (1993), pp. 243–264.
C. Levi, R.M. McMeecking, and Z.Z. Du, University of California at Santa Barbara, private communication (1995).
C.H Weber et al., “On the Tensile Properties of a Fiber Reinforced Titanium Matrix Composite-I Unnotched Behavior,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 42 (1994), pp. 3443–3450.
B. Budiansky and N. Fleck, “Compressive Fau]lure of Fibre Composites,” J. Mechanics Physics Solids, 41 (1993), p. 183.
G. Bao, J.W. Hutchinson, and R.M. McMeeking, “Particle Reinforcement of Ductile Matrices Agau]nst Plastic Flow and Creep,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 39 (1991), pp. 1871–1882.
D.B. Zahl, S. Schmauder, and R.M. McMeeking, “Transverse Strength of Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Strongly Bonded Continuous Fibers in Regular Arrangements,” Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 42 (1994), pp. 2983–12997.
J.A. Isaacs and A. Mortensen, “Structure and Room Temperature Deformation of Alumina Fiber-Reinforced Aluminum,” Metallurgical Transactions A, 23A (1992), pp. 1207–1219.
W. Crow, Boeing au]rcraft Company, Seattle, WA, 1994, private communication.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Deve, H.E., McCullough, C. Continuous-fiber reinforced composites: A new generation. JOM 47, 33–37 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221227
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221227