Fracture morphology and deformation mechanism of SiC _p/Al with high strain rates

The impact experiment for SiC _p/Al composites were conducted using the Hopkinson pressure bar at high strain rates. Effects of strain rate on the fracture morphology and impact deformation behavior of SiC _p/Al composites were analyzed. The results show that the onset of deformation localization in SiC _p/Al composites strongly depends on the particles size and the composites reinforced by smaller particles (100 μm) have high localized deformation under the same conditions. At loading with high strain rates, the damage mechanism of the high volume fraction particle reinforced SiC _p/Al composite associated with the fracture of the particles and the deformation localization of the matrix. The damage mechanism of SiC _p/Al composite is considerably sensitive to the particles size.