Quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of interpenetrating zirconia-toughened alumina-aluminum alloy composite material

Interpenetrating zirconia-toughened alumina-aluminum alloy composite material (3D-ZTA/Al) was prepared, using a combined material extrusion and pressureless infiltration method. The analysis focused on the microstructure of 3D-ZTA/Al and variations in interface microhardness, along with its compression behaviors (from 226.7 to 668.3 MPa) from the perspective of experimentation and simulation, which revealed energy absorption mechanisms. Meanwhile, 3D-ZTA/Al with three types of interpenetrating structures all exhibit "J"-shaped crack propagation curves. The fracture energy of 3D-ZTA/Al prepared in this work ranges from 3.99 to 28.80 kJ<middle dot>m(-2) as the crack expands, and the energy absorption reaches 43.8 MJ<middle dot>m(-3) at impact speeds of similar to 12 m/s. Among the three interpenetrating structures, the helicoidal structure exhibiting the highest J(R)-integral resistance to cracks and the lowest transmission impulse.