Failures analysis of particle reinforced metal matrix composites by microstructure based models

This paper discusses the methodology of microstructure based elastic–plastic finite element analysis of particle reinforced metal matrix composites. This model is used to predict the failure of two dimensional microstructure models under tensile loading conditions. A literature survey indicates that the major failure mechanism of particle reinforced metal matrix composites such as particle fracture, interfaces decohesion and matrix yielding is mainly dominated by the distribution of particles in the matrix. Hence, analyses were carried out on the microstructure of random and clustered particles to determine its effect on strength and failure mechanisms. The finite element analysis models were generated in ANSYS, using scanning electron microscope images. The percentage of major failures and stress–strain responses were predicted numerically for each microstructure. It is evident from the analysis that the clustering nature of particles in the matrix dominates the failure modes of particle reinforced metal matrix composites.     

Effects of random particle dispersion and size on the indentation behavior of SiC particle reinforced metal matrix composites

This study investigates the effects of particle size, volume fraction, random dispersion and local concentration underneath a spherical indenter on the indentation response of particle reinforced metal matrix Al 1080/SiC composites. The ceramic particles in certain sizes and volume fractions were randomly distributed through the composite structure in order to achieve a similar structure to an actual microstructure as possible. The particle size and volume fraction affected considerably indentation depths and deformed indentation surface profiles. The indentation depth increases with increasing particle size, but decreases with increasing particle volume fraction. The experimental indentation depths were in agreement with numerical indentation depths in case the local particle concentration effect is considered. The local particle concentration plays an important role on the peak indentation depth. For small particle sizes and large volume fractions the random particle distribution affects the deformed surface profiles as well as the indentation depths. However, its effect is minor on residual stress and strain distributions rather than levels in the indentation region.     

Elastic constants of particle and fiber reinforced metal matrix composites

A model has been developed to predict the elastic moduli in composites reinforced with both particles and fibers. In the model the matrix material and the particles, which are assumed to be homogeneously distributed, form an effective matrix. The characteristics of this effective matrix is calculated using a theory formulated by Ledbetter and Datta. The effective matrix is then considered to be reinforced with fibers lying in one plane but randomly oriented in that plane. The effect of the 2-dimensionally random orientation of the fibers on the elastic moduli of the composites is determined in two steps. First the composite cylinders model by Hashin and Rosen for an aligned fiber system is employed, and then a geometric averaging procedure suggested by Christensen and Waals is performed. Using this model, the Young's and shear moduli were calculated for three samples with different aluminum matrices and volume fractions of particles (9, 13, and 17%) but the same fiber content (6%). The same elastic moduli were also determined using ultrasonic velocity measurements. The agreement between calculated and measured elastic moduli is found to be very good. Also, the elastic anisotropies between directions of the fiber rich plane and that normal to the plane could be predicted by the model.This article is dedicated to Professor Dr. Paul Höller on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Fatigue life predictions for notch geometries in particle reinforced metal matrix composites

Abstract

The potential use of particle reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) for demanding structural applications highlights the need for an effective method to predict the fatigue performance of notched components. The present paper evaluates the ‘critical strain’ technique and its suitability with respect to particle reinforced MMC alloys. Strain controlled fatigue data generated on the aluminium alloy 2124 reinforced by two different fractions of 2–3 μm SiC particles are used to predict the lives of a ‘pseudocomponent’ representative of engineering situations. It is demonstrated that both alloys are essentially cyclically stable compared with monotonic work hardening curves and, where available, data from tension and torsion modes superimpose on a Von Mises effective stress-strain criterion. The implications of the fatigue life analysis are discussed.     

Microstructure-based modeling of the deformation behavior of particle reinforced metal matrix composites

A review is provided of the use of analytical models and two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) microstructure based FEM models to accurately predict the properties of particle reinforced composite materials. It is shown that analytical models do not account for the microstructural factors that influence the mechanical behavior of the material. 2D models do capture the anisotropy in deformation behavior induced by anisotropy in particle orientation. The experimentally-observed dependence of Young's modulus and tensile strength is confirmed by the 2D microstructure-based numerical model. However, because of the 2D stress state, a realistic comparison to actual experimental values is not possible. A serial sectioning process can be used to reproduce and visualize the 3D microstructure of particle reinforced metal matrix composites. The 3D microstructure-based FEM accurately represents the alignment, aspect ratio, and distribution of the particles. Comparison with single particle and multiparticle models of simple shape (spherical and ellipsoidal) shows that the 3D microstructure-based approach is more accurate in simulating and understanding material behavior.     

Ultrasonic assisted fabrication of particle reinforced bonds joining aluminum metal matrix composites

This paper presents a method of producing uniform particle strengthened bonds between pieces of aluminum metal matrix composite (Al-MMCs), of strength equal to that of the substrate material. SiC particle reinforced Zn-based filler metals were fabricated by mechanical stir casting and ultrasonic treatment, and then used to join pieces of SiC_p/A356 composite with the aid of ultrasonic vibration. The filler metals made by mechanical stirring were porous and contained many particle clusters. Ultrasonic vibration was used to disperse the agglomerates and prevent further coagulation of SiC particles during joining, but the method failed to eliminate the porosity, resulting in a highly porous bond. The filler metal treated by ultrasonic vibration was free of defects and produced a non-porous bond strengthened with uniform particles between pieces of SiC_p/A356 composite. The presence of surface oxide films at the bonding interface significantly degraded the performance of SiC particle reinforced bond. Removal of this oxide film by at least 4 s of ultrasonic vibration significantly increased the bond strength, reaching a value equal to that of the substrate metal.     

Aspects of residual thermal stress/strain in particle reinforced metal matrix composites

The influence of inclusion geometry and thermal residual stresses and strains on the mechanical behaviour of a 20 vol% Al₂O₃ particulate reinforced 6061-T0 Al alloy metal matrix composite is investigated through finite element analysis. The introduction of residual thermal stresses/strains prior to external loading leads to a decrease of the proportional limit, 0.2% offset yield stress and the apparent stiffness. The residual stresses/strains are shown to have a greater effect on the composite behaviour under compressive loading than tensile loading. The residual stresses/strains have little effect on the cyclic behaviour of the composite. In only the second cycle, the difference between the cyclic curves, with and without a thermal history, was 2 MPa. Use of a cube shaped particle, with sharp corners and edges, in the unit cell model led to much greater initial hardening behaviour than spherical inclusions, and therefore a greater 0.2% offset yield stress due to stress/strain localisation at the particle corners and edges. This results in regions of constrained plasticity and high stress triaxiality in the matrix around the particle, producing improved load transfer in the composite. It is shown that inclusion aspect ratio, in the range of 0.5–2.0, has an impact on the yield stress. A minimum yield stress occurred at an aspect ratio of approximately 0.9 with significant increases on either side of this point. The influence of residual stress/strain had a similar effect throughout the aspect ratio range except tensile loading, following thermal treatment, on unit cells with inclusion aspect ratios greater than 1.5 resulted in the highest yield stresses.     

Hot isostatic pressing of metal reinforced metal matrix composites

Metal reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (MMMCs) made by combining an aluminium alloy matrix with stainless steel reinforcing wires are potentially cheaper and tougher than continuous fibre ceramic reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs). Although they do not give as great enhancements in stiffness and strength, worthwhile gains are achieved. Such MMMCs can be produced by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPping), which reduces interfacial reactions in comparison with liquid metal routes. Here, stainless steel (316L) and commercial purity aluminium wires were used to make bundles which were inserted into mild steel cans for HIPping at 525 °C/120 min/100 MPa. Some stainless steel wires were pre-coated with A17Si, to examine the effect of coatings on mechanical properties. Specimens were evaluated in terms of their tensile and fatigue properties. During HIPping, cans collapsed anisotropically to give different cross-section shapes, and for larger diameter cans, there was also some longitudinal twisting. Wires tended to be better aligned after HIPping in the smaller diameter cans, which produced material having higher modulus and UTS. Higher volume fractions of reinforcement tend to give better fatigue properties. Composites with coated stainless steel wires gave higher composite elongation to failure than uncoated wires. Both uncoated and coated wires failed by fatigue during fatigue testing of the composite. This contrasts with ceramic reinforced MMCs where the fibres fracture at weak points and then pull out of the matrix.     

An enhanced FEM model for particle size dependent flow strengthening and interface damage in particle reinforced metal matrix composites

By incorporating the dislocation punched zone model, the Taylor-based nonlocal theory of plasticity, and the cohesive zone model into the axisymmetric unit cell model, an enhanced FEM model is proposed in this paper to investigate the particle size dependent flow strengthening and interface damage in the particle reinforced metal matrix composites. The dislocation punched zone around a particle in the composite matrix is defined to consider the effect of geometrically necessary dislocations developed through a mismatch in the coefficients of the thermal expansion. The Taylor-based nonlocal theory of plasticity is applied to account for the effect of plastic strain gradient which produces geometrically necessary dislocations due to the geometrical mismatch between the matrix and the particle. The cohesive zone model is used to consider the effect of interfacial debonding. Lloyd’s experimental data are used to verify this enhanced FEM model. In order to demonstrate flow strengthening mechanisms of the present model, we present the computational results of other different models and evaluate the strengthening effects of those models by comparison. Finally, the limitations of present model are pointed out for further development.     

Investigation of impact behaviour of aluminium based SiC particle reinforced metal–matrix composites

In this paper, the impact behaviour of aluminium and silicon carbide (SiC) particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites under different temperature conditions was determined. Charpy impact tests were performed on as extruded and heat treated specimen at temperatures varying from −176 to 300 °C. Composite specimens based on aluminium alloys of 2124, 5083 and 6063 and reinforced by SiC particles were manufactured. Two different SiC sizes of 157 μm and 511 μm and two different extrusion ratios of 13.63:1 and 19.63:1 were used. The results of instrumented impact tests were compared with the microstructural and fractographic observations. The failure mechanisms and deformation behaviour of unreinforced alloys and composites were assessed. The impact behaviour of composites was affected by clustering of particles, particle cracking and weak matrix-reinforcement bonding. Agglomeration of particles reduced the impact strength of Al 2124 and 6063 based composites. Alumınum 6063 alloys and composites showed a better impact strength. The impact strength of 6063 composites increased with particle size and extrusion ratio. The effects of the test temperature on the impact behaviour of all materials were not very significant.     

碳化硅增强铝基复合材料的力学性能和断裂机制

研究了碳化硅颗粒(SiCp)尺寸对用粉末冶金法制备体积分数为15%的SiCp/2009铝基复合材料力学性能和断裂机制的影响.结果表明,复合材料的强度随着SiCp尺寸的增大而减小,塑性则随着颗粒的增大而增大.当SiCp尺寸为1.5μm时,SiCp/2009A1复合材料的断裂主要以界面处撕裂和基体材料的开裂为主;当SiCp尺寸为20 μm时,复合材料的断裂主要以SiCp断裂为主;当SiCp尺寸处于两者之间时,SiCp/2009A1复合材料界面处撕裂和SiCp断裂的共同作用决定复合材料的断裂.     

Fatigue performance of alumina reinforced metal matrix composites

Abstract

The room temperature fatigue performance of two Saffil reinforced metal matrix composites manufactured by squeeze forming is assessed. For the composite with an LM 13 matrix, introduction of Saffil does not result in an increase in the ultimate tensile strength, and the fatigue performance is inferior to the unreinforced alloy. By contrast, the composite with a 6082 type matrix exhibits a markedly superior ultimate tensile strength and stiffness compared with the unreinforced equivalent and this is coupled with an improved overall fatigue performance.

MST/767     

Particulate reinforced metal matrix composites — a review

The physical and mechanical properties that can be obtained with metal matrix composites (MMCs) have made them attractive candidate materials for aerospace, automotive and numerous other applications. More recently, particulate reinforced MMCs have attracted considerable attention as a result of their relatively low costs and characteristic isotropic properties. Reinforcement materials include carbides, nitrides and oxides. In an effort to optimize the structure and properties of particulate reinforced MMCs various processing techniques have evolved over the last 20 years. The processing methods utilized to manufacture particulate reinforced MMCs can be grouped depending on the temperature of the metallic matrix during processing. Accordingly, the processes can be classified into three categories: (a) liquid phase processes, (b) solid state processes, and (c) two phase (solid-liquid) processes. Regarding physical properties, strengthening in metal matrix composites has been related to dislocations of a very high density in the matrix originating from differential thermal contraction, geometrical constraints and plastic deformation during processing.     

On the homogenized behaviour of reinforced and other Bingham composites

A recently developed (Ponte Casta?eda 2002 J. Mech. Phys. Solids 50, 737-757) 'second-order' nonlinear homogenization method is used to estimate the constitutive response of reinforced and other Bingham composites. For the special case of rigidly reinforced Bingham composites with overall isotropy (in two dimensions), the results show that the homogenized response of such materials is not strictly Bingham. Thus, instead of a purely linear incremental response beyond the relevant threshold (yield) stress, the response is strongly nonlinear just after yield and asymptotes to a purely linear incremental response only at sufficiently large stress or strain-rate levels. This phenomenon is linked to the presence of strong fluctuations of the strain-rate field in the composite at the onset of yield.     

Reference stress approach for predicting creep deformation of metal matrix composites

Abstract

A sound, mechanics based approach, using the reference stress concept, has been provided to allow the effects of volume ratio, fibre aspect ratio, and fibre spacing on the creep behaviour of uniaxial metal matrix composites to be quickly assessed. It is shown that fibres are much more effective than particles in reducing creep deformations. In addition, volume ratio and fibre aspect ratio have a large effect on creep properties, while fibre spacing has a relatively small effect. The existence of cracks at the ends of fibres is shown to reduce seriously the effectiveness of the reinforcement. The creep properties for loading in transverse directions are much lower than for loading in longitudinal directions.

MST/2059     

DSC and DMA studies of participate reinforced metal matrix composites

Thermal studies have been carried out on a series of particulate (SiC and Al₂O₃) reinforced 6061 Al metal matrix composites. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis have provided information on the formation/dissolution of precipitate phase(s) and the effect of temperature on the short-term storage modulus of the materials, respectively. These studies were also used to identify the phase changes responsible for the maximum damping properties of the materials.     

石墨烯增强金属基航空复合材料研究进展

本文综述了石墨烯增强金属基航空复合材料的研究现状,归纳了该种复合材料的制备方法,讨论了石墨烯对其性能的影响及机制。指出目前高含量、排列石墨烯增强金属基航空复合材料的研究还比较缺乏,涉及的工艺参数、组织结构、界面化学及高温物理性能等相关问题仍需进一步研究,并提出未来的研究重点应由制备方法等工艺性探讨向微观复合构型设计的思路转变。     

The effect of particle distribution on damage formation in particulate reinforced metal matrix composites deformed in compression

Image analysis results are reported on the generation of damage in particulate reinforced metal matrix composites during compressive deformation. The technique allows the automated collection of data on the incidence of particle fracture and void formation in the matrix as a function of important microstructural parameters such as local particle volume fraction and particle size. There is a strong relationship between damage and the local volume fraction of the reinforcement proving that damage formation is accentuated in regions of particle clustering. With the SiC reinforced materials examined, there was observed to be a change in dominance of damage mechanism from particle fracture at low local volume fractions to void formation in the matrix within strongly clustered regions. The results are compared with finite element (FE) modelling of the compressive deformation of clustered particles using a simple cluster of equi-spaced particles. The FE results suggest that plastic flow is generally inhibited in clustered regions. In certain highly clustered configurations shielding is such that flow does not occur in the heart of the cluster even at high levels of average plastic strain. The modelling suggests that the change in dominance of damage mechanism is related to the dramatic increase in tensile hydrostatic stresses in the matrix with higher levels of particle clustering.