Clustering model on the tensile strength of PM processed SiCp/Al composites

Reinforcement clusters in the powder metallurgy (PM) processed SiCp/Al composites were divided into two types: the non-contacted clusters and the contacted clusters. Based on this conception and the critical volume fraction of reinforcement, a cluster strength model was proposed to calculate the strength of the PM SiCp/Al composites with clustering. The calculated strengths of the as-pressed and the as-extruded SiCp/Al composites were in good agreement with the experimental results. The model could also quantitatively explain the phenomena that the strength of the PM composites began to decrease above some volume fraction of reinforcement.