Analysis of an improved boron/aluminum composite

Improvements in the mechanical properties of a boron/aluminum composite material have been achieved through thermal treatments and the addition of small amounts of high strength stainless steel wires perpendicular to the boron. This study provides an analysis of these improved composite materials, utilizing scanning electron microscopy and X-ray radiography to examine the micromechanics of the composites and their fiber and matrix components. Phenomena analyzed and discussed are matrix-matrix bonding, filament-matrix bonding, matrix failure, filament damage, and fracture initiation and propagation.