Investigation of the mechanical behaviour of steel fiber-reinforced copper under compressive load at different strain rates

Compressive strength and failure mode of unidirectionally reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) are studied experimentally with three different strain rates at room temperature and 500 degrees C. The composite consists of a copper matrix reinforced with parallel, continuous fibers of austenitic steel. The influence of the following parameters on compressive strength and mechanical behaviour are investigated experimentally: fiber volume fraction, specimen geometry and test temperature. The research of failure mode included the examination of compressive strength reduction of the reinforcement. During compressive deformation of ductile metallic fiber composite, the copper matrix is deformed plastically by shear and the slim steel fibers buckle without delamination. The mode of buckling due to compression is observed as a combined buckle type mainly of shear. Metallographically examination of test specimens has been performed to understand the failure characteristics of the buckling phenomenon.