Characterization of debonding strength in steel-wire-reinforced aluminum and its influence on material fracture

Abstract Extruded steel-wire-reinforced aluminum offers increased ultimate tensile strength in wire direction at low wire contents. Debonding of the wires, however, provokes material failure and, therefore, is the topic of the presented research. Interface normal strength and axial shear strength are assessed experimentally and the material’s sensitivity toward its interface normal strength is analyzed. Using a shear-modified Gurson fracture model, the effect of wire debonding on the fracture behavior of the material is studied. Therefore, bolt-pull-out tests are performed, allowing for a validation of the material and fracture modeling. A further comparison of the fracture behavior is drawn to non-reinforced aluminum.