Damage characterisation in aluminium matrix composites reinforced with amorphous metal inclusions

Aluminium matrix composites with volume fractions of 1 and 4% of amorphous metal inclusions were prepared by mixing powders, spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot extrusion. The reinforcing phase was a Zr57Cu20Al10Ti8Ni5 metallic glass (MG) and the matrix phase consisted of two types of aluminium powders with similar particle sizes but different strengths (pure aluminium and 5083 alloy). Damage mechanisms in tension were characterised quantitatively by X-ray tomography using in situ tensile tests. The transition in the initiation of damage between matrix shearing, inclusion fracture or matrix-inclusion debonding is presented and discussed as a function of the material's microstructure.