Three-dimensional numerical testing of microstructures of particle reinforced composites

Three-dimensional finite element (FE) simulations of the deformation and damage evolution of SiC particle reinforced Al composites are carried out for different microstructures of the composites. A program for the automatic generation and the design of FE meshes for different 3D microstructures of composites is developed. Numerical testing of composites with random, regular, clustered and gradient arrangements of spherical particles is carried out. The fraction of failed particles and the tensile stress–strain curves were determined numerically for each of the microstructures. It was found that the strain hardening coefficient increases with varying the particle arrangement in the following order: gradient< random< clustered< regular microstructure. The variations of the particle sizes causes strong decrease in the strain hardening rate of the composite, and leads to the quicker and earlier damage growth in the composites. 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.