Fatigue Crack Growth Rate and Life Prediction Models for Composite Materials

Abstract

The increasing demand for novel materials that are lightweight, strong, durable, and newlinetough has generated a growing interest in composite materials. The evolution of newlinecomposite materials represents a significant progression in material science, driven by the need to overcome the limitations of conventional materials like metals, ceramics, and newlinepolymers. The development of composites has led to the materials with a balance of high newlinestrength to weight, and increased fatigue and corrosion resistance ratios at elevated high temperatures. The Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are increasingly preferred for the newlinecomponents such as connecting rods, crankshafts, frames, chassis, doors panels and brake newlinerotor discs, etc. The 20th century heralded a pivotal era for Aluminium MMCs, which are newlineknown for their lightweight with high strength. A recent market review indicated that the newlineglobal demand for aluminium-based MMCs is projected to drastically increased from 5.5 newlinemillion kg to 8.8 million kg within 10 years, from 2011 to 2020. newlineThe modern technologies, particularly in high-performance applications across industries including aerospace, hydrospace, automotive, rail vehicles, defence, shipping, marine, and transportation sectors, require materials with a unique feature such as high newlinestiffness-to-weight ratio, impact and corrosion resistant, specific modulus, and strength. Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (HMMCs) have emerged as a solution to meet these newlinecriteria. The HMMCs exhibit excellent wear resistance, electrical and thermal properties, newlineand fatigue strength at both ambient and elevated temperatures. The synergistic newlinecombination of multiscale components in HMMCs enhances the mechanical strength, newlineimproves thermal and chemical stability, regulates various properties, and provides fire newlineretardancy, making them suitable for demanding applications in modern technologies.