Predictive Computational Model for Damage Behavior of Metal-Matrix Composites Emphasizing the Effect of Particle Size and Volume Fraction

Abstract

In this paper, an integrated numerical model is proposed to investigate the effects of particulate size and volume fraction on the deformation, damage, and failure behaviors of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs). In the framework of a random microstructure-based finite element modelling, the plastic deformation and ductile cracking of the matrix are, respectively, modelled using Johnson–Cook constitutive relation and Johnson–Cook ductile fracture model. The matrix-particle interface decohesion is simulated by employing the surface-based-cohesive zone method, while the particulate fracture is manipulated by the elastic–brittle cracking model, in which the damage evolution criterion depends on the fracture energy cracking criterion. A 2D nonlinear finite element model was developed using ABAQUS/Explicit commercial program for modelling and analyzing damage mechanisms of silicon carbide reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The predicted results have shown a good agreement with the experimental data in the forms of true stress–strain curves and failure shape. Unlike the existing models, the influence of the volume fraction and size of SiC particles on the deformation, damage mechanism, failure consequences, and stress–strain curve of A359/SiC particulate composites is investigated accounting for the different possible modes of failure simultaneously.

Three-Dimensional Imaging of Metallic Grain by Stacking the Microscopic Images

“…However, as indicated in Table 1, the height of each layer after polishing was 1-2 µm. If we use P = 0.063 (µm/pixels), the lateral surface of the crystal will be expressed as shallow needle-like squares, and the surface lacks uniformity, due to the small value of P. In order to reproduce the result well, we defined P as expressed in Equation (15), with P = P × r and r = 30 ∼ 60.…”

“…Meanwhile, according to conventional studies, the size and shape of the microstructure affect the strength, toughness, and creep resistance of the structure [9][10][11]. However, it is not easy to reflect and demonstrate this with the finite element method [12][13][14][15]. This is because the factor used in the finite element method is the shape of the structure and does not include the microstructure of the structure itself.…”

Aluminum Matrix Composites with Weak Particle Matrix Interfaces: Effective Elastic Properties Investigated Using Micromechanical Modeling

“…In [ 13 ], the method was used to show that the effective mechanical properties of an Al–B 4 C composite can be influenced by residual stress fields created during the fabrication by stir casting. Most computational studies reported in the literature assume that a perfect bond exists between particles and matrix [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Some studies modeled the bond strength by directly using cohesive-zone (CZ) approaches to investigate particle-matrix debonding, which initiates prior to the final failure of the material [ 15 ].…”

“…Some studies modeled the bond strength by directly using cohesive-zone (CZ) approaches to investigate particle-matrix debonding, which initiates prior to the final failure of the material [ 15 ]. Nevertheless, it is commonly assumed that particle-matrix debonding only occurs after global effective yielding initiates [ 17 ]. The exact effect of very weak or nonexistent particle-matrix bonding strength on the effective elastic mechanical properties of AMCs is still not fully understood.…”

Experimental Investigation of Surface Roughness in Milling of DuralcanTM Composite

“…These techniques are relatively cost-effective and could be applied in numerical and experimental approaches for modeling or simulating MMCs' manufacturing and machining [22]. A numerical model for analyzing the effects of PMMCs particulate size on damage mechanisms was developed by S. Gad et al [23]. This paper's computational finite element (FE) model was proposed to determine the elastoplastic behavior of A359/SiC particulate composite.…”