Cumulative creep and hot isostatic pressing of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites

This study investigated the creep of aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced with SiC particles (A359/SiCp). The cumulative effect of stress on the tensile creep was modeled for the composite and compared with that for 6061 aluminum. Modified from Miner’s rule, the models conservatively predicted a cumulative creep life to within 35% of the measured data. Although drastically reducing the porosity of the cast composites, hot isostatic pressing failed to improve the creep life due to the in situ annealing effect. Excellent adhesion of the particles to the matrix, and a large number of reinforcing particles, retarded the crack growth due to creep.