IMPACT FRACTURE OF SiCw/6061 Al COMPOSITES

Impact fracture bshavior of SiC whisker reinforced 6061AL metal matrix composites has been studied by combining SEAM fractographic analysis and instrumented charpy testing.As compared with that of isotropic SiCw/6061Al composite in which SiCw were randomly oriented,the hot-extruded composite has higher impact toughness.It is shown that hot-extrusion improves the properties of SiCw/6061 Al composites.Delamination fracture phenomenon was observcd. The impact fracture models of SiCw/6061Al corriposites were discussed in detail. The impact fracture behavior of the composite after extrusion is different from that of the as-fabricated composite.The reasons why the impact toughness was improved by extrusion of SiCw/6061Al. were analysed.