Indentation Plastometry of Particulate Metal Matrix Composites, Highlighting Effects of Microstructural Scale

Herein, it is concerned with the use of profilometry-based indentation plastometry (PIP) to obtain mechanical property information for particulate metal matrix composites (MMCs). This type of test, together with conventional uniaxial testing, has been applied to four different MMCs (produced with various particulate contents and processing conditions). It is shown that reliable stress-strain curves can be obtained using PIP, although the possibility of premature (prenecking) fracture should be noted. Close attention is paid to scale effects. As a consequence of variations in local spatial distributions of particulate, the representative volume of these materials can be relatively large. This can lead to a certain amount of scatter in PIP profiles and it is advisable to carry out a number of repeat PIP tests in order to obtain macroscopic properties. Nevertheless, it is shown that PIP testing can reliably detect the relatively minor (macroscopic) anisotropy exhibited by forged materials of this type.

Automated summary

This article introduces the use of profilometry-based indentation plastometry (PIP) to obtain mechanical property information of particulate metal matrix composites (MMCs). By conducting PIP tests and conventional uniaxial tests on four different MMCs, it is demonstrated that reliable stress-strain curves can be obtained with PIP, although prenecking fracture is possible. The article also highlights the importance of considering scale effects and conducting repeat PIP tests to account for the scatter in PIP profiles and obtain macroscopic properties. Despite these challenges, PIP testing is shown to reliably detect the relatively minor macroscopic anisotropy exhibited by forged materials of this type.