Fatigue Behaviour of SiC Particulate‐Reinforced A359 Aluminium Matrix Composites

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we describe the fatigue behaviour of silicon carbide (SiC P )‐reinforced A359 aluminium alloy matrix composite considering its microstructure and thermo‐mechanical properties. A variety of heat treatments have been performed for the 20 vol. % SiC p composite, which resulted in different strength and elongation behaviour of the material. The fatigue behaviour was monitored, and the corresponding S–N curves were experimentally derived for all heat treatments. The fatigue strength was found to depend strongly on the heat treatment. In addition, the fatigue behaviour was monitored non‐destructively via the use of lock‐in thermography. The heat wave, generated by the thermo‐mechanical coupling and the intrinsic dissipated energy during mechanical loading of the sample, is detected by a thermal camera.