Multi scale modeling and characterization of inelastic deformation mechanisms in continuous fiber and 2D woven fabric reinforced metal matrix composites

Abstract

Continuous unidirectional ceramic fiber and woven fabric reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) have potential to obtain very high specific strengths and stiffnesses, but use in structural applications has thus far been limited by their inherently low ductility, particularly in tensile loading conditions. In this work, a multi-scale micromechanics based finite element framework is used to predict, and understand the effect of microstructure on the tensile deformation behavior, including progressive damage and failure, of ceramic fiber and fabric reinforced MMCs. A hierarchal approach is implemented in which a micro-scale model is used to determine the transversely isotropic elasto-plastic mechanical behavior of unidirectional fiber reinforced MMC based on the properties of an aluminum alloy matrix, individual ceramic fibers, and the fiber-matrix interface. The validated transversely isotropic constitutive behavior is then input into a unit cell model for a woven fabric MMC consisting of unidirectional MMC tows in

Ballistic impact behavior of woven ceramic fabric reinforced metal matrix composites

“…The 3D weave material had the lowest V BL 50 which was 13% lower than the 0/90 materials. All four MMCs exhibited generally brittle behavior with damage dominated by their inherently low in-plane tensile elongation [8]. All impacts that completely penetrated the panels created smooth entrance holes roughly the same diameter as the FSP, and varying degrees of spall on the exit holes as shown in Fig.…”

“…The density (r) of the MMC was 3.2 g/cm 3 . The in-plane elastic modulus (E 11 ¼ E 22 ), initial yield strength (s y ), ultimate tensile strength (s t u ), and tensile failure strain (ε t f ) of the MMC were 139 GPa, 52.5 MPa, 326 MPa, and 0.0041 respectively [8]. The through thickness (normal to plane of fabric weave) modulus (E 33 ) and compressive strength (s c u ) were found to be 120 GPa and 377 MPa respectively from quasi-static compression testing using ASTM standards [31].…”

“…Unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced MMC offer the greatest increase in stiffness and strength in the longitudinal direction [5,6]. However the resulting transverse properties are typically poor [7,8], which is remedied by designing laminated cross ply or woven fabric structures.…”

“…The majority of the mechanical characterization of continuous unidirectional alumina fiber reinforced aluminum that has been reported in the literature has focused on studies of the strength and deformation mechanisms of the composite loaded along the fiber axis at quasi static strain rates [5,6,9e11], and comparatively little literature exists on the behavior of woven fabric MMC [8,12], or under high strain rate dynamic loading conditions [7,13]. Most examples of the ballistic impact behavior of MMC that have been previously studied are for particle reinforced MMC [14,15] and short fiber reinforced MMC [16,17], with comparatively little reported for fabric MMC.…”

Strength prediction for bi-axial braided composites by a multi-scale modelling approach

“…In our micro-scale model, fibres were arranged hexagonally considering high-fibre volume fractions in fibre bundles of braided composites. Previous studies [29,30] demonstrated that predictions of elastic moduli and strengths based on hexagonal and random arrangements were very similar Specifically, this volume fraction was assumed as 0.8 herein with a representative unit cell (RUC) as depicted in Fig. 1, in which 2pr 2 /ab = 0.8.…”