Thermal Mismatch Stresses in a Metal Matrix Composite – A Finite Element Analysis
K. Prahlada Rao1, D. P Girish2, M. Krishna3, Madhu. B. V4
1
Dr. K. Pralhada Rao, Vice – Principal & Professor of Mechanical Engg. Dept., JNTU College of Engg., Anantapur (AP), India.
2Dr. D. P. Girish, Professor, Mechanical Engg. Dept., Government Engineering College, Ramanagara, Karnataka, India.
3Dr. M. Krishna, Professor and Director, R & D, Rastreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering, Bangalore, India.
4Madhu. B. V, Lecturer, Mechanical Engg. Dept., Govt. Polytechnic, Holenarasipura, Hassan Dist., Karnataka, India.

Manuscript received on October 06, 2011. | Revised Manuscript received on October 12, 2011. | Manuscript published on October 30, 2011 . | PP: 45-51 | Volume-1 Issue-1, October 2011. | Retrieval Number: A0107101111/2011©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of aluminum and aluminum/Al2O3 metal matrix composites (MMCs) are measured using a dilatometer and analysis of residual thermal stresses by Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The MMCs were prepared by liquid metallurgy technique for varying percentages of reinforcement in steps of 0, 5, 10, and 15% by weight. The CTE is expected to vary with relative residual strains which in turn are dependent on the percentage of reinforcement when cooled from 500C to room temperature. The experimental CTE values were compared with developed model. FEA has been used to investigate the distribution of residual thermal stresses in the interfacial region. The result indicates that the properties of the interfacial region affect the stress distribution.
Keywords: Al 6061, CTE, FEA, Liquid Metallurgy, TMA