Influence of SiCp Size and Content on Tensile Properties and Fracture Mechanism of SiCp/Al Composites

Al matrix composites reinforced with various sizes and contents of SiCp were fabricated via powder metallurgy followed by hot extrusion,and their tensile properties and fractographs were examined.The results show that with the increase in SiCp(130 nm) volume fraction,the tensile strength increase,their breakage is due to tearing of the matrix near interface.With the increase in SiCp(14 μm) volume fraction,the tensile strength decrease,composite failure resulted from cleavage cracking of SiCp and propagation going along matrix.