Authors : A.O. Agbanigo and A.T. Alawode
Abstract: In this research, the mechanical properties of aluminium-based metal matrix composite reinforced with steel fibres of different orientation were experimentally investigated, presented and compared with those of unreinforced aluminium alloy. Unreinforced specimens and composites reinforced with longitudinal and transverse fibres were characterized by percentage elongation-a-fracture of 12.75, 27.50 and 11.00% respectively; ultimate tensile strength of 83.51, 96.75 and 66.71 MN m-2, respectively; fatigue life of 209,458 and 16 cycles-to-failure, respectively at 550 MN m-2 and impact energy of 47.80, 51.20 and 45.00 Nm, respectively. The least values of mechanical properties exhibited by composite specimens with transverse fibres is attributable to the fact that transverse fibres create areas of stress concentration, which aids initiation and propagation of cracks resulting in early commencement of deformation during testing and fibre matrix debonding. However, the resistance to deformation offered by longitudinal fibres during testing is responsible to the highest values of mechanical properties displayed by composite specimen with longitudinal fibres.
A.O. Agbanigo and A.T. Alawode , 2008. Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Aluminium-Based Composites Reinforced with Steel Fibres of Different Orientations. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3: 933-936.