THERMOMECHANICAL AND CREEP CHARACTERIZATION OF UNIDIRECTIONAL SIC AL COMPOSITE/

The thermomechanical and creep behavior of a unidirectional metal matr ix composite, namely, silicon carbide/aluminum (SCS-2/6061 Al) was stu died experimentally. Experimental methods were developed, adapted, and applied to the characterization of the metal matrix composite system. The unidirectional SiC/Al composite was characterized thermomechanica lly under longitudinal, transverse and in-plane shear loading up to 39 9 degrees C (750 degrees F). The stress-strain curves of the composite in the longitudinal and transverse directions and the shear stress-st rain curves were obtained at various temperatures. In addition, therma l strain curves as a function of temperature in the longitudinal and t ransverse directions were obtained. The composite was characterized by determining its moduli, strengths, and coefficients of thermal expans ion at the various temperatures. The transverse creep characteristics of the undirectional SiC/Al composite were also investigated at temper atures ranging from 204 degrees C (400 degrees F) to 288 degrees C (55 0 degrees F).