Tension-compression asymmetry of hardening and damage in Al alloy matrix composites

Tension-compression asymmetry of hardening and damage in Al matrix composites was analyzed. The effect of the damage in the particles and/or at the interfaces on the stress-strain response is different in tension and in compression. In tension, cracks mostly perpendicular to the stress axis in ceramic particles definitely lower the loading capacity and then the overall hardening rate. In compression, cracks mostly parallel to the stress axis in ceramic particles are not expected to lower the loading capacity and have little influence on the hardening rate. The flow stress is not greatly influenced by the frequency of particle cracks and it is strongly dependent on the matrix properties.