Internal Friction of Cast Graphite-Magnesium Composites

Internal friction behavior in cast 8-ply [0°1 P55Gr/Mg-0.6%Zr alloy and P55Gr/Mg-1%Mn composites as a function of vibratory strain amplitude was measured at 80 kHz using a Marxtype piezoelectric composite oscillator. Both the matrix and composite exhibited strain amplitude independent internal friction below e ≈ 10−6, while significant strain amplitude dependence was noted at higher strain levels. A maxima in damping was observed for most of the specimens tested. Heat treatment to enlarge grain size was found to increase both the strain amplitude independent and dependent internal friction of the composite. Strain amplitude dependence of the internal friction, including the existence of the maxima, was explained by the Granato-Lucke (G-L) dislocation internal friction model. Dislocation densities obtained from various TEM images from the fiber-matrix interface were compared to values predicted by G-L theory.