ABSTRACT
When a metal–matrix composite is subjected to a change of temperature, large thermal stresses develop as a result of the mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the fibre and matrix materials. In these experiments, thermal deformations of a unidirectional boron/aluminum metal–matrix composite were investigated for a free surface perpendicular to the fibres [1]. Isothermal loading was chosen to investigate the steady-state thermal deformation. The elevated temperatures were sufficiently low to ensure the linear elastic behaviour of the fibre and matrix materials. The fringe patterns clearly delineate the heterogeneous deformation associated with the individual fibres and surrounding matrix.
