MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUM METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES UNDER IMPACT LOADING

A flow stress model based on plasticity theory has been developed for two different types of aluminium metal matrix composite materials subj ected to high strain rate. A combined experimental and numerical techn iques are used to determine the flow model parameters. Experimental re sults consisting of cylindrical impact compression tests and conventio nal mechanical tests are presented. The parameters of the proposed flo w stress model were evaluated based on satisfactory agreement between the predicted and measured final dimension of the test specimen. The m odel, in its general form, considers the combined effects of strain, s train hardening, strain rate, and thermal softening on the flow stress . Finally, for comparison, tests were also conducted on pure aluminum.