• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (18): 107-117.doi: 10.3901/JME.2025.18.107

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Study on the Performance Degradation Mechanism and Service Temperature Limit of SiCp/A356 Brake Disc Material

YANG Zhiyong, LI Peizhen, ZANG Jiajun, SONG Pilin, LI Zhiqiang   

  1. School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044
  • Received:2024-09-10 Revised:2025-03-01 Published:2025-11-08

Abstract: The mechanical properties of SiCp/A356 composite brake disc generally declines during the process of service. To reveal the decay rule and damage mechanism of mechanical properties of SiCp/A356 brake disc material and clarify the service temperature limit of SiCp/A356 composite material, the thermal cycle tests of SiCp/A356 composite materials were carried out according to the service temperature conditions of SiCp/A356 brake disc, and combined with the performance test, macro and micro analysis and micro simulation for a representative volume element (RVE), the analysis was carried out. The experimental and simulation results show that when the cyclic temperature is less than 200 ℃, the matrix mechanical damage and bonding interface damage of the composites are slight, and the performance remains basically stable; When the cycle temperature is at [200 ℃, 250 ℃], the properties of the composites remain stable within a certain number of thermal cycles, and then decrease to a certain extent, and then the properties become stable again. When the cyclic temperature is greater than 250 ℃, the matrix mechanical damage and bonding interface damage of the composites rapidly occur, and the material properties rapidly decline. Therefore, the long-term service temperature range of the SiCp/A356 composites should be controlled below 200 ℃. Considering the temperature change damage mechanism of the composites, the temperature limit of the SiCp/A356 composites can be increased by increasing the Cu content in the matrix to improve the thermal strength of the matrix, improving the wettability between SiC particles and the matrix (by increasing the oxidation temperature and extending the oxidation time) to improve the interface performance.

Key words: SiCp/A356 composite material, performance degradation, RVE simulation, service temperature limit

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