MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUM-BASED METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH ALPHA-ALUMINA PLATELETS

The tensile properties of an aluminium-based metal matrix composite reinforced with a-alumina platelets were investigated from an experimental and a theoretical point of view. An increase in Young modulus, 0,2% proof stress, flow stress and ultimate tensile strength was observed over the unreinforced metal. These improvements were obtained at the expense of the tensile ductility. The experimental results were analyzed using both a dislocation model and a continuum model based on an iterative Eshelby method.