Dynamic behavior of particulate metal matrix nanocomposite plates under low velocity impact

Abstract

The main purpose of this work is to investigate low velocity impact behavior of metal matrix nanocomposite plates reinforced with silicon carbide nanoscale particles. First, a micromechanical model is proposed to predict the effective mechanical properties of metal matrix nanocomposites. Two features of the nanocomposite microstructure affecting the elastic properties, including agglomerated state of silicon carbide nanoparticles and size factor, are taken into account in the micromechanical simulation. Then, finite element method is used to analyze the time histories of contact force and center deflection of silicon carbide nanoparticle-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposite plates. Several detailed parametric studies are accomplished to explore the influence of volume fraction, diameter and dispersion type of silicon carbide nanoparticles, spherical impactor velocity and diameter, plate dimensions, as well as different boundary conditions on the dynamic response of metal matrix nanocomposite plates. The presented approach accuracy is verified with the available open literature results displaying a clear agreement. The results indicate that adding the silicon carbide nanoparticles into the metal matrix materials leads to a reduction in plate center deflection and an increase in contact force between the plate and projectile. Moreover, it is found that the nanoparticle agglomeration dramatically decreases the contact force and increases the center deflection of metal matrix nanocomposite plates.