THE BAUSCHINGER EFFECT IN A SIC AL COMPOSITE

An interesting mechanical property of SiC/Al composites is that the te nsile yield stress is less than the compressive yield stress, even tho ugh the apparent modulus in tension is greater than that in compressio n. An investigation was undertaken to determine if the Bauschinger eff ect (BE) in a SiC/Al composite is asymmetrical. It was found that the BE is indeed asymmetrical in the case of the composite and the magnitu de of the BE increases with total forward strain. These results can be explained in terms of the changes in ''back stress'' caused by the ch anges in the residual stress and the work hardening during forward str ain.