LOCAL AND INTERFACIAL DAMAGE ANALYSIS OF METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES USING THE FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD

A micromechanical damage composite model is used here such that separa te local evolution damage relations are used for each of the matrix an d fiber. In addition, this is coupled with interfacial damage between the matrix and fiber exclusively. An overall response is linked to the se damage relations through a certain homogenization procedure. A fini te element analysis is used for quantifying each type of damage and pr edicting the failure loads of dog-bone shaped specimen and center-crac ked laminate metal matrix composite plates. The development of damage zones and the stress-strain response are shown for two types of lamina ted layups, a (0/90)(s) layup and a (+/-45)s layup. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.