Experimental study of fracture mechanics in the aluminum matrix composites containing Fifteen percent silicon carbide particles

In this investigation ‚the fracture toughness of A356 containing15%SiC composite was studied. Al/SiC composites have been considered because of their mechanical and erosion properties .Low fracture toughness in Al/SiC as compared with Aluminium alloys is one of its disadvantage. In this study at first A356 alloy was melted in a smelting electrical furnace then poured into the mould. A356-15% SiC were composed by melting method and mixing continuously (in order not to precipitate SiC to the bottom) in the presence of a nature gas. The melt was poured in a metallic mould, then specimens were cut from the products bars in order to calculate fracture toughness according to ASTM. Obtained results for different specimens compared together. In this study Crack Opening Displacement (COD) is used to determine fracture toughness rate. KIc was calculated in composites and compared with that of base alloy. As a result KIc in composite samples were decreased significantly, debris, cracks, gas cavity.