Pretension-Dependent Residual Stress of Alumina Fiber-Reinforced Composite Wire

The relationship between pretension and residual stress of an aluminum wire reinforced with 45 vol pct continuous Nextel™ 610 alumina fibers is investigated. It is shown that as pretension stress increases, the matrix residual stress decreases. A transition in matrix residual stress from tension to compression occurs at a pretension stress of about 80 MPa. The initial rapidly decreased residual stress caused by pretension at relatively low pretension stresses is a result of matrix elastic compressive deformation; while the later gradually decreased residual stress at higher pretension stresses comes from matrix plastic compressive deformation. As the matrix yield stress and hardening exponent increase, the decrease in matrix residual stress with pretension stress is more rapid and the absolute value of matrix residual stress increases. An analytical model suitable for fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) with strong interfacial bonding is developed to describe the relationship between pretension and matrix residual stress and is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental and finite-element calculated results. The pretension-dependent matrix residual stress phenomenon suggests that the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced MMCs associated with matrix residual stress may be effectively improved by applying tensile loads.