Strain measurements and imaging of metal matrix composites using high-energy X-rays.

摘要

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are of technological importance for a variety of applications [1, 2]. One important aspect of MMCs is their unique mechanical behavior, which is controlled by the load transfer occurring between matrix and reinforcement. Load transfer is affected by the mismatch in stiffness between matrix and reinforcement, by plastic deformation of the metallic matrix and by damage of the ceramic reinforcement or its interface with the matrix. The goal of this thesis is to study the micromechanics of load transfer in MMC by a combination of x-ray diffraction and imaging, using high-energy synchrotron x-rays in conjunction with in-situ mechanical loading.; Diffraction was used for direct measurements of internal elastic strains of all phases within the bulk (rather than near surface) of MMCs during in-situ mechanical loading. Imaging was done using an edge-enhanced, phase-contrast technique providing high spatial resolution radiographic images providing insight into the macro- and micro-mechanical evolution of damage.; Three MMC systems with widely different architectures, composition, and end-use were studied: ultrahigh-carbon steels, superconducting fiber composites, and co-continuous composites. First, ultrahigh-carbon steels exhibiting spherical Fe3C particles in a Fe matrix are characterized by no load transfer in the elastic range, followed by marked load transfer in the plastic range of the matrix. Second, superconducting composites consisting of continuous MgB2 fibers in a Mg matrix show mostly elastic (and somewhat plastic) load transfer from matrix to reinforcement, which is complicated by the presence of cracks and a WB4 core in the fibers. Finally, a complex three-dimensional (3-D) Al2O3 preform infiltrated with an Al matrix, like the superconducting composites, show mostly elastic load transfer from matrix to reinforcement. For the latter two composites, differences were found between average bulk measurements and spatially-resolved measurements. Predictions from analytical models (based on rule-of-mixture) and numerical models (based on the finite-element method) are compared with experimental strain measurements.