Development of a finite element micromodel for metal matrix composites

A finite element micromodel has been developed based on real microstructure s. The method of modelling is unique in that displacements calculated from large-specimen models are used as boundary conditions to model more accurat ely at the microstructural level. The development was centred around determ ining the response of the matrix, near a crack tip, to the constraint impos ed by the particles. The process of developing the model is given and the f inal result is compared with experimentally measured values of constraint f rom the stereoimaging analysis of the photographs the model was based on. G ood agreement was found and both techniques, stereoimaging and FEM, verifie d each other. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.