Elastic properties of short glass fiber-reinforced ZA-27 alloy metal matrix composites

A well-consolidated composite of ZA-27 alloy reinforced with short glass fiber at volume fractions of 2, 7, 12, and 17% was prepared by liquid infiltration techniques and its elastic properties were determined by destructive testing. The results showed that the modulus of elasticity and ultimate tensile strength of the composite gradually increased with increasing volume fraction of the fiber, although the ductility decreased with an increase in volume fraction of the fibers. In addition, the data obtained from Young's modulus measurements were compared with theoretical results predicted by the shear-lag model, Nielsen-Chen model, and computational model. The experimental results were shown to be in better agreement with those of the latter two models. The ultimate tensile strength test results were also compared with theoretical results predicted by the shear-lag and Miwa models. The Miwa model agreed favorably with the experimental results.