Determination of Stress Intensity Factors and Fatigue Characteristics of Al-SiC Composite Material and Al-SiC Functionally Graded Material by Simulation

Crack propagation studies on Functionally Graded Material (FGM) have been done using simulation techniques. Simulation of crack propagation has been done on an Isotropic Aluminium Single Edge Notch(Crack) Bend Test Specimen under Three Point Bend Test Conditions and also on an Aluminium-Silicon Carbide composite specimen with single edge crack under Three Point Bend Test Conditions to estimate the KI Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) for different initial crack length to depth ratios. Crack propagation studies on an Aluminium plate and Aluminium-Silicon Carbide composite plate under three point bend test conditions were done experimentally and the peak loads carried by these specimens have been used in simulation techniques. Simulation of crack propagation under three point bend test conditions has also been done on an Aluminium- Silicon Carbide Functionally Graded Material (FGM). Estimation of KI Stress Intensity Factors by simulation techniques has been done for Isotropic Aluminum, Aluminium-Silicon Carbide composite and Aluminium- Silicon Carbide FGM and the estimated KI Stress Intensity Factor been compared between these three materials. Also compared are the induced von-mises stress and the maximum deflection of the specimens of these three materials obtained using simulation. Also the stress at the crack edge and the stress at the crack tip for the specimens of Isotropic Aluminum, Aluminium-Silicon Carbide composite and Aluminium- Silicon Carbide FGM have been obtained using simulation techniques and compared between these three materials.