EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL-STUDIES FOR FATIGUE DAMAGE OF SHORT-FIBER-REINFORCED METAL

The fatigue damage variable D which is defined by the post-fatigue fai lure strain (PFFS) is introduced to study the overall damage-failure p rocess of metal matrix composite (MMC) under cyclic loading. A fatigue damage evolution equation derived by means of the definition of fatig ue damage and used to predict the fatigue life is presented in this pa per. In addition, information on the crack propagation, failure modes of the Al2O3 short fiber reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composite an d the effect of the heat treatment process on this material are report ed in brief.