Effect of reinforcement shape on the stress-strain behavior of aluminum reinforced with SiC nanowire

The effect of surface morphology of SiC nanowires on mechanical properties of Al matrix composite was investigated. Four kinds of SiC nanowires (bamboo shaped SiC nanowires contents were 14.6%, 24.9%, 36.2% and 45.3%, respectively) have been selected to prepare composites by pressure infiltration method with the same volume fraction (15. vol.%). The SiC nanowires and Al matrix were well bonded and no significant interfacial product was found in the composites. With the increase of bamboo shaped nanowires content (from 14.6% to 45.3%), the tensile strength and elongation were increased 8% and 57%, respectively. Different to cylindrical with smooth surface, negligible pull-out of bamboo shaped SiC nanowires was observed. The effect of bamboo shaped SiC nanowires on the mechanical properties of composites has been discussed in detailed. It is suggested that the improvement in the tensile strength and elongation of the SiC NWs/6061Al composites could be attributed mainly to the improvement of the interfacial bonding and the increased of interfacial area.