Temperature dependence of Young's Modulus of alumina short fiber reinforced Zn-Al MMCs produced by pressure die-casting

Abstract

Conventional pressure die-casting was used to produce delta-Al2O3 (Saffil) short fiber reinforced Zn-Al based metal matrix composites, containing 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 vol.% fibers. The temperature dependence of the elasticity modulus of the composites and the matrix material were measured at temperatures from 20 to 200 degreesC, at 20 degreesC intervals. It was found that the modulus of elasticity of the composites gradually increased with increasing fiber volume, but decreased with increasing temperature. The rate of change in both, however, differed depending on the fiber volume content of the composites in such a manner that the higher the volume content of fibers the lower the rates of decrease in the modulus of elasticity values with increasing fiber volume and temperature. In addition, the data obtained from the Young's modulus measurements over the temperature range studied were compared with theoretical results predicted by the shear-lag and Nielsen-Chen models and found to be in a better agreement with those of the later model.