Abstract
In order to investigate the behavior of fatigue crack growth of SiC-particulate- reinforced Al-Si alloy composites, fatigue tests using single edge notched tension(SENT) specimens were performed. Composite materials were manufactured by using both permanent die casting and extrusion processes with different volume fractions of $10\%\;and\;20\%$. $SiC_p-reinfurced$ Al-Si composites showed the increased levels of threshold stress intensity factor range, ${\Delta}K_{th}$, for the increased volume fractions of SiC particles, which implies the increased fatigue crack growth resistance at the threshold or low ${\Delta}K$ levels, compared to the unreinforced Al-Si alloy. In the Paris region, however, the composites showed the increased rate of crack growth resulting in the unfavorable effects on the fatigue crack growth resistance. Critical stress intensity factor range at unstable crack growth leading to final fracture decreased as the volume fraction of SiC particle increased, because of the reduced fracture toughness of the composites. Extruded materials showed higher threshold and critical values than the cast materials.
