ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF AN ALUMINUM-MATRIX COMPOSITE REINFORCED WITH NEW ALUMINA PLATELETS

Young's modulus for an aluminium-based metal matrix composite reinforc ed with alpha-alumina platelets was investigated from an experimental and a theoretical point of view by varying the following parameters: t he nature of the matrix, the morphology and the volume fraction of the platelets. An iterative Eshelby method, taking into account different families of inclusions, was used to perform the theoretical calculati ons. Good agreement between theory and experiment was observed. Finall y, to assess the effectiveness of the platelets as reinforcing phases, a comparison with the values of Young's moduli obtained theoretically with other shapes of reinforcement (spheres or short fibres) was carr ied out.