COD MEASUREMENTS AND OPTIMUM EXPLOITATION OF METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

The mechanical behaviour of Metal Matrix Composites and their respecti ve matrix alloys, that find extensive use in aerospace applications, i s studied in the present work, from the Fracture Mechanics point of vi ew. Experiments were executed in Single Edge Notched specimens with va rious initial crack inclinations and the Crack Opening Displacement wa s recorded versus externally applied load. An empirical criterion was established permitting easy, in situ inspection of the safety and furt her loading capacity of cracked structural members, already in functio n. A preliminary relationship between critical Crack Opening Displacem ent and failure criteria is indicated. The influence of the anisotropy induced by the rolling direction is also studied. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd.