Objectif The aim of the project is to provide a non destructive technique to characterize damage in aluminium matrix composites, which may negatively influence their fitness for use. The aim of the project is to provide a nondestructive technique to detect and characterize damage in aluminium matrix particle reinforced composites, which may negatively influence their fitness for use.Fatigue tests have been carried out and the most promising techniques were selected, being: determination of the acoustoelastic constants, the thermoelastic constants, phase velocity, backscattering techniques and high precision absolute velocity measurements. The selected nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques were improved for application to the specific materials and have been applied in various stages of the fatigue life. Modelling indicated the detectable damage levels.None of the tests revealed conclusive results. This indicates that the assumed damage models of gradual increasing voids to cracks are inappropriate and that early warning damage detection is extremely difficult. This may be regarded as a serious drawback of this material, which may seriously hamper future applications.Mechanical and thermo-mechanical behaviour depends strongly on the microstructural situation (e.g. volume fraction, defects introduced by fabrication, size distribution, etc.), the damage of the materials and the residual stress state. In addition to this, damage accumulation during service life restrict the lifetime. At present there is some empirical evidence of correlation between the results of ultrasonic tests, the microstructure and the progress of fatigue damage in metal matrix composites. Further progress requires understanding of the physical processes underlaying this correlation. This project aims at providing such an analysis, leading to a multiparameter approach for the ultrasonic characterization of metal matrix composites. Champ scientifique engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metals Programme(s) FP2-BRITE/EURAM 1 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and advanced materials applications (BRITE/EURAM), 1989-1992 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement Data not available Coordinateur Billiton Research BV Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 6800 AA ARNHEM Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (3) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire Biosonic SARL France Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 32 rue de la Resistance 59300 FAMARS Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V. Allemagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Universitaet, Gebaeude 37 66123 SAARBRUECKEN Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Belgique Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Krakenstraatt 3 3000 LEUVEN Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée