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dissertation global and local fracture properties of metal matrix ...

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Section 7<br />

between the Rtot <strong>and</strong> the slope <strong>of</strong> the J-∆a curve was derived<br />

dJ η<br />

≈ R<br />

d(<br />

∆ a)<br />

b<br />

90<br />

tot<br />

, (7.11)<br />

where η is the pre-factor in the J-evaluation formula <strong>and</strong> b the ligament length b = W-a [70].<br />

The Rtot data, calculated by Eq. 7.11 in the region from ∆a = 0.2 mm up to ∆astab, are listed in<br />

Table 7.2, as well. A significant increase <strong>of</strong> the Rtot-values with increasing homogeneity <strong>of</strong> the<br />

particle distribution is observed: the Rtot-value <strong>of</strong> the MMC after 7 ECAP passes is higher<br />

than the Rtot-value <strong>of</strong> the as-fabricated material by a factor <strong>of</strong> 2. As was shown in [50], for the<br />

flat <strong>fracture</strong> region, Rtot is determined by the plastic strain energy to form the micro-ductile<br />

<strong>fracture</strong> surface <strong>and</strong> the energy spent below the <strong>fracture</strong> surface.<br />

7.4.3. The effect <strong>of</strong> ECAP on the <strong>fracture</strong> surface morphology<br />

A different morphology <strong>of</strong> the <strong>fracture</strong> surfaces <strong>of</strong> tested disk compact specimens is revealed.<br />

In Figure 7.7a, the pre-fatigued region <strong>and</strong> the <strong>fracture</strong> surface in front <strong>of</strong> the crack tip for the<br />

specimen from the as-fabricated MMC is shown. A vast amount <strong>of</strong> particle clusters on the<br />

<strong>fracture</strong> surfaces as well as on the pre-fatigued region is seen. Regions with relative<br />

homogeneous particle distribution on the <strong>fracture</strong> surface can be also observed. In Figure<br />

7.7b, an image <strong>of</strong> the broken particle cluster is given at higher magnification. One can see that<br />

there is no <strong>matrix</strong> between the alumina particles in clusters. On the contrary, the <strong>fracture</strong><br />

surface <strong>of</strong> the specimen after 7 ECAP passes looks more homogeneous (Fig. 7.7c). Typical<br />

micro-ductile mechanism <strong>of</strong> <strong>fracture</strong> prevails, a few particle clusters on the <strong>fracture</strong> surface<br />

are observed. Almost no particle clusters can be found on the pre-fatigued region. Voids are<br />

initiated by a particle/<strong>matrix</strong> decohesion mechanism. In Figure 7.8, corresponding pictures<br />

from both halves <strong>of</strong> the broken specimen from the MMC after 7 ECAP passes are given. It is<br />

clearly seen, that most <strong>of</strong> particles are observed only on a single half <strong>of</strong> the broken specimen.<br />

Some <strong>of</strong> them are marked by arrows: the position <strong>of</strong> the particle on the half <strong>of</strong> the broken<br />

specimen, where the particle is observed, is marked by solid arrow; whereas the other dimple<br />

initiated by this particle on the other half <strong>of</strong> the broken specimen by a dashed arrow.

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