A NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF REINFORCEMENT CONTENT ON STRENGTH AND DUCTILITY IN AL (SIC)(P) MMCS/

A numerical analysis, including elastic and elastic-plastic finite ele ment analysis, has been used to examine the effects of reinforcement c ontent on the strength and ductility of Al(SiC)(p) MMCs subjected to t ensile loading. This study focuses on the relationships between reinfo rcement content and: (a) the stress gathering capability of particles; (b) the work hardening of the matrix; (c) the average and peak stress and strain in each phase; (d) the stored elastic energy density in ea ch phase. It has been found that the increase in the stress gathering capability of the particles is a principal contributor to the nonlinea r increase in the stiffness and strain hardening rate of the composite s with increasing particle content. This stress gathering can lead to particle fracture. The hydrostatic stress and the peak normal strain i n the matrix play an important role in some types of fracture observed in these composites, all of which are characterized by low ductility at high reinforcement content. Copyright (C) 1996 Acta Metallurgica In c.