The local composite architecture of MMCs-Effects on the local deformation and fracture behavior

Abstract
In-situ tensile tests were carried out in a scanning electron microscope on an Al-6061 aluminum alloy reinforced with 10 vol pet SiC particles with a mean diameter of 100  m. High resolution strain maps were generated by analyzing the scanning electron micrographs of different deformation stages by a digital image analysis system. The methodology is called automatic local deformation analysis. An area of about m was analyzed during four deformation steps. Global tensile strains up to 1 pct were measured; the local strains were found to be up to five times larger than the global ones. Local anisotropy is quantified on the analyzed surface concerning the orientation and aspect ratio of the particles, and taken into account as parameters determining particle fracture. The development of particle failure in the bulk and at the surface is determined for the deformed and undeformed material.