Crack growth in a ductile-phase-toughened Nb/Nb3Al in situ intermetallic composite under monotonic and cyclic loading

One approach to improving the ductility and toughness of brittle solids is to incorporate a ductile phase into the brittle matrix in order to impede the extension of incipient cracks. In this regard, recent word has shown that niobium can provide significant ductile-phase toughening in several intermetallic composites via crack bridging, plastic stretching and interfacial debonding mechanisms; however, under cyclic loading the role of the ductile phase appears to be less effective. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study is to examine the effect of the addition of ductile Nb phase on fracture and fatigue behavior in an equiaxed Nb/Nb3Al in situ composite; results are compared with behavior in unreinforced Nb3Al and Nb to determine possible mechanisms of crack propagation in Nb-toughened Nb3Al intermetallic composites