Residual strain gradient determination in metal matrix composites by synchrotron X-ray energy dispersive diffraction

An X-ray technique for the measurement of internal residual strain gradients near the continuous reinforcements of metal matrix composites has been investigated. The technique utilizes high intensity white X-ray radiation from a synchrotron radiation source to obtain energy spectra from small (10-3 mm3) volumes deep within composite samples. The energy peak positions satisfy Bragg’s law and allow determination of the lattice parameter. As the probe volume is translated, the peaks of the spectra shift and are used to infer lattice spacing changes and thus strains with a precision of 10-3 to 10-4 (depending on the sample grain size/probe volume ratio). The viability of the technique has first been tested using a model system with 800 μm A12O3 fibers and a commercial purity titanium matrix. For this system (which remained elastic on cooling), good agreement was observed between the measured residual radial and hoop strain gradients and those estimated from a simple elastic concentric cylinders model. The technique was then used to assess the strains near (SCS-6) silicon carbide fibers in a Ti-14Al-21Nb matrix after consolidation processing. Reasonable agreement between measured and calculated strains was seen provided the probe volume was located 50 μm or more from the fiber/matrix interface. Close to the interface, the measured elastic strains were smaller than anticipated, due to relaxation of the residual stress by plasticity and radial cracking during sample cooling.