Fracture behavior of particle reinforced metal matrix composites

Aluminum matrix composites with various particle reinforcements have been experimentally tested to evaluate their fracture toughness. The experimental results have been compared with the fracture toughness estimates using the Hahn–Rosenfield model. It is observed that the Hahn–Rosenfield model has a validity range for reinforcement particle sizes of 5–10 μm. A modification to this model has been developed for estimating the fracture toughness of the metal matrix composites with larger particle reinforcements. The validity of the modified model has been experimentally tested. There has been a close agreement between the experimental results and the predicted toughness using the modified fracture model.