On the behaviour of a particulate metal matrix composite subjected to cyclic temperature and constant stress

The paper describes a method of characterising the behaviour of an idealised particulate metal matrix composite composed of elastic particles and an elastic–perfectly plastic matrix subjected to constant macro stress and a cyclic temperature history. The computational method, the Linear Matching Method, was originally developed for structural life assessment studies, and allows a direct evaluation of the load ranges for which differing modes of behaviour occur in the steady cyclic state; shakedown, reverse plasticity and ratchetting. A simple homogenised model is considered, consisting of spherical particles embedded in a cubic matrix array. The resulting solutions are presented as non-dimensional equations derived from numerical solutions for two composites, alumina and silicon carbide particles embedded in an aluminium matrix.