Micromechanical modeling of reinforcement fracture in particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02648860· OSTI ID:6820478

Finot, M; Shen, Y L; Suresh, S ^[1]; Needleman, A ^[2]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)
2. Brown Univ., Providence, RI (United States). Division of Engineering

Finite element analyses of the effect of particle fracture on the tensile response of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites are carried out. The analyses are based on two-dimensional plane strain and axisymmetric unit cell models. The reinforcement is characterized as an isotropic elastic solid and the ductile matrix as an isotropically hardening viscoplastic solid. The reinforcement and matrix properties are taken to be those of an Al-3.5 wt pct Cu alloy reinforced with SiC particles. An initial crack, perpendicular to the tensile axis, is assumed to be present in the particles. Both stationary and quasi-statically growing cracks are analyzed. Resistance to crack growth in its initial plane and along the particle-matrix interface is modeled using a cohesive surface constitutive relation that allows for decohesion. Variations of crack size, shape, spatial distribution, and volume fraction of the particles and of the material and cohesive properties are explored. Conditions governing the onset of cracking within the particle, the evolution of field quantities as the crack advances within the particle to the particle-matrix interface, and the dependence of overall tensile stress-strain response during continued crack advance are analyzed.

• OSTI ID: 6820478
• Journal Information: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States), Journal Name: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States) Vol. 25:11; ISSN 0360-2133; ISSN MTTABN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
CALCULATION METHODS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COPPER ALLOYS
CRACK PROPAGATION
FAILURES
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FRACTURE MECHANICS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SILICON CARBIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS