Effect of SnO2 coating on the damping capacity and tensile property of alumina borate whisker-reinforced aluminum composite at room temperature

Pure aluminum matrix composites reinforced with SnO2-coated alumina borate whisker were fabricated by squeeze casting. The influence of the coating contents on the tensile properties and damping capacities of the coated composites at room temperature was investigated. The results indicate that the interfacial states of the coated composites can be modified by the introduction of the coatings on whisker surfaces. The tensile properties of the coated composites observably increase with the coating contents. The damping values of the coated composites rapidly increase with the strain amplitude but decline with the coating contents, when strain amplitude exceeds 1 × 10−3. A new damping peak in the coated composites at low strain amplitude (about 3 × 10−4) has been observed, which could be ascribed to the dislocation mechanism.