TRANSVERSE STRENGTH OF METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH STRONGLY BONDED CONTINUOUS FIBERS IN REGULAR ARRANGEMENTS

The composite limit flow stress for transverse loading of metal matrix composites reinforced with a regular array of uniform continuous fibe rs is calculated using the finite element method. The effects of volum e fraction and matrix work hardening are investigated for fibers of ci rcular cross section distributed in both square and hexagonal arrangem ents. The hexagonal arrangement is seen to behave isotropically with r espect to the limit stress, whereas the square arrangement of fibers r esults in a composite which is much stronger when loaded in the direct ion of nearest neighbors and weak when loaded at 45-degrees to this di rection. The interference of fibers with flow planes is seen to play a n important role in the strengthening mechanism. The influence of matr ix hardening as a strengthening mechanism in these composites increase s with volume fraction due to increasing fiber interaction. The result s for a power law hardening matrix are also applicable to the steady s tate creep for these composites. The influence of volume fraction on f ailure parameters in these composites is addressed. Large increases in the maximum values of hydrostatic tension, equivalent plastic strain, and tensile stress normal to the fiber-matrix interface are seen to a ccompany large increases in composite strength.