Influence of pressure on damage evolution and fracture in metal-matrix composites

The fracture of a fibrous and a particulate metal-matrix composite have been studied as a function of confining pressure. The fracture was found to occur by the accumulation of damage caused mainly by the fracture of the reinforcing phase. The mechanisms by which the damage nucleates and grows, and links to form a final failure surface, changes as the pressure is increased. These mechanisms are described and their consequences for alloy development is discussed.