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Article
A Fatigue Model for Discontinuous Particulate-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composite: Influence of Microstructure
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
  • R. R. McCullough
  • J. B. Jordon
  • A. T. Brammer
  • K. Manigandan, University of Akron, Main Campus
  • Tirumalai S. Srivatsan, University of Akron, main campus
  • P.G. Allison
  • T. W. Rushing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Abstract

In this paper, the use of a microstructure-sensitive fatigue model is put forth for the analysis of discontinuously reinforced aluminum alloy metal matrix composite. The fatigue model was used for a ceramic particle-reinforced aluminum alloy deformed under conditions of fully reversed strain control. Experimental results revealed the aluminum alloy to be strongly influenced by volume fraction of the particulate reinforcement phase under conditions of strain-controlled fatigue. The model safely characterizes the evolution of fatigue damage in this aluminum alloy composite into the distinct stages of crack initiation and crack growth culminating in failure. The model is able to capture the specific influence of particle volume fraction, particle size, and nearest neighbor distance in quantifying fatigue life. The model yields good results for correlation of the predicted results with the experimental test results on the fatigue behavior of the chosen aluminum alloy for two different percentages of the ceramic particle reinforcement. Further, the model illustrates that both particle size and volume fraction are key factors that govern fatigue lifetime. This conclusion is well supported by fractographic observations of the cyclically deformed and failed specimens.

Citation Information
R. R. McCullough, J. B. Jordon, A. T. Brammer, K. Manigandan, et al.. "A Fatigue Model for Discontinuous Particulate-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composite: Influence of Microstructure" Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Vol. 23 Iss. 1 (2014) p. 65 - 76
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/tirumalai_srivatsan/14/