Fracture morphology of high strength steel fiber reinforced metal matrix composite produced by explosive bonding method

Fiber reinforced metal matrix composite materials which consist of the high strength ductile steel wire and aluminum or titanium foil sheets were produced by explosive bonding method. Strength property was evaluated by a tensile test. For the aluminum matrix composite, the tensile strength was 80% of the value predicted by the law of mixture and fracture initiated at the weakly bonded area between the fiber and the matrix. For the titanium matrix composite, the tensile strength was in agreement with the value predicted by the law of mixture and fracture initiated at the originally fused interface between the sheets. A cup and cone type of fracture was observed in the fiber of aluminum matrix composite, and a cup and cone and shear type of fracture were observed in the fiber of titanium matrix composite.