Cumulative creep and hot isostatic pressing of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites

This study investigated the creep of aluminum metal matrix composite reinfo rced with SiC particles (A359/SiCp). The cumulative effect of stress on the tensile creep was modeled for the composite and compared with that for 606 1 aluminum. Modified from Miner's rule, the models conservatively predicted a cumulative creep life to within 35% of the measured data. Although drast ically reducing the porosity of the cast composites, hot isostatic pressing failed to improve the creep life due to the in situ annealing effect. Exce llent adhesion of the particles to the matrix, and a large number of reinfo rcing particles, retarded the crack growth due to creep. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.