Adiabatic shear failure of high reinforcement content aluminum matrix composites

Dynamic failure behaviors of high reinforcement content TiB2/Al composites were experimentally investigated using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The TiB2/Al composites showed high flow stresses and good plastic deformation ability at high strain rates. Adiabatic temperature rise decreased the flow stresses of TiB2/Al composites, which was verified by the prediction of Johnson - Cook model. While the predictions by Cowper - Symonds model exhibited obvious strain hardening characteristic, the values of which were much higher than those of the Johnson - Cook model and the experimental. The composites were failed macroscopically in brittle fracture and some phase transformation bands were found on the shearing surfaces. The dynamic failure behavior of TiB2/Al composites was predominated by the formation of adiabatic shear bands.