Effect of applied stresses on fatigue damage mode of an alumina fiber reinforced pure aluminum composite

The effect of applied stress level on fatigue damage mode of alumina fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites was studied. For this purpose, a continuous metal matrix composite wire containing Nextel alumina fiber in a pure aluminum matrix was used. Tensile and fatigue tests were performed on the samples. It was found that applied maximum stress is of an important effect on fatigue damage mode of the alumina fiber reinforced pure aluminum composite. There was a change in fatigue damage mode from longitudinal splitting at high applied stresses during fatigue failure of the composite.