TEM INVESTIGATION OF CRACKING IN Al₂O₃ SHORT FIBRE/Al-5.5 Zn COMPOSITE

Micro cracking charact eristics of Al₂O₃ short fibre reinforced Al-5.5Z n matrix composite were studied usinga dynamic tensile technique of transmission electron microscopy( TEM). The results show that the nucleation and propagation of cracks occur mainly in the matrix and fibre/matrix interface region. This may result from the great difference in strength between the fibre and matrix. Also, it has been observed that the microcrack can close in the unlo ading process.