ABSTRACT
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are expected to be next generation materials, especially for the aerospace industry. However, their low toughness must be overcome.
Many researchers have reported that when a main crack propagates in a discontinuously-reinforced MMC, numerous microcracks are initiated ahead of the main crack caused by reinforcement fracture and/or reinforcement-matrix interfacial debonding. This suggests that crack propagation with accompanying microcracking has a significant influence on the overall fracture of the MMC. Such crack growth mechanisms can be described in terms of fracture mechanics, and computer simulations of crack growth in MMCs have been performed [1]. Such simulations show that some segregated SiC whiskers may improve the toughness of SiCw/6061 Al alloy MMCs.
