Tensile Creep Damage and Rupture of Al2O3-SiO2(sf)/AZ91 Composite

Constant stress tensile creep tests were conducted on an AZ 91–25 vol.% Al2O3-SiO2 short fiber composite and on an unreinforced AZ 91 matrix alloy. The creep resistance of the reinforced material is shown to be considerably improved compared with the matrix alloy. The creep strengthening arises mainly from the effective load transfer between plastic flow in the matrix and the fibers. Microstructural investigations by SEM revealed good fiber–matrix interface bonding during creep exposure. Short fibers have a great function in load bearing and load transfer, and greatly hinder the dislocation movement, thus enhancing the creep resistance of the composite. Damage and multiple rupture of aluminum silicate short fiber, quality of the interface combination between aluminum silicate short fiber reinforcement and the matrix, are two important factors of the creep deformation microstructure process control of Al2O3-SiO2(sf)/AZ91 composite. The creep mechanism of the composite is dislocation and grain boundary sliding control.