EFFECTS OF PARTICLE MORPHOLOGY AND SPACING ON THE STRAIN FIELDS IN A PLASTICALLY DEFORMING MATRIX

More than 25 models have been created using the ABAQUS three-dimension al non-linear finite element software to reveal the stress and strain distributions around and within particles in a plastically deforming m atrix. The effects of particle shape, volume fraction and distribution have been examined. The major effect is that a fibre-like stress dist ribution is developed in the matrix, linking the particles in the dire ction of loading, regardless of the variations in geometry or properti es. However the stress and strain distributions are altered in detail in a systematic fashion by all these variables. Stresses in cubic part icles are much higher than those in spherical particles. Hard particle s which are closely spaced in the direction of loading develop very la rge stresses in the region between them on the line of loading, wherea s the stresses are not nearly as significantly increased for particles closely spaced in the transverse direction. The variations in the dis tributions of stress and strain can be explained in a general way by r eference to compatibility and equilibrium arguments.