TY - JOUR
T1 - Microstructure-based modeling of the influence of particle spatial distribution and fracture on crack growth in particle-reinforced composites
AU - Ayyar, A.
AU - Chawla, Nikhilesh
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors are grateful for financial support from the Office of Naval Research (Dr. A.K. Vasudevan, Program Manager, Contract # N000140110694). The authors also thank the creators of FRANC2-D/L software.
PY - 2007/10
Y1 - 2007/10
N2 - The crack growth behavior of particle-reinforced composites is determined by several factors, such as volume fraction, particle size, particle morphology, spatial distribution and particle strength. Thus, an accurate and robust numerical model must incorporate the true microstructure of the particles. It will be shown that the strength of the reinforcement particles is also an important factor. Hence, the model must be able to simulate particle fracture. In this paper, the crack growth behavior of SiC particle-reinforced Al matrix composites was modeled using actual microstructures. Linear elastic fracture mechanics principles were used to propagate the crack and obtain the local stress intensity values. The effect of particle fracture on crack growth was studied. It will be shown that spatial distribution and shape of the particles, as well as particle fracture ahead of the crack tip, significantly affect the crack trajectory and the stress distribution at the crack tip.
AB - The crack growth behavior of particle-reinforced composites is determined by several factors, such as volume fraction, particle size, particle morphology, spatial distribution and particle strength. Thus, an accurate and robust numerical model must incorporate the true microstructure of the particles. It will be shown that the strength of the reinforcement particles is also an important factor. Hence, the model must be able to simulate particle fracture. In this paper, the crack growth behavior of SiC particle-reinforced Al matrix composites was modeled using actual microstructures. Linear elastic fracture mechanics principles were used to propagate the crack and obtain the local stress intensity values. The effect of particle fracture on crack growth was studied. It will be shown that spatial distribution and shape of the particles, as well as particle fracture ahead of the crack tip, significantly affect the crack trajectory and the stress distribution at the crack tip.
KW - Crack growth
KW - Finite element modeling
KW - Metal-matrix composite
KW - Microstructure-based modeling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35148833158&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35148833158&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.actamat.2007.06.044
DO - 10.1016/j.actamat.2007.06.044
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:35148833158
SN - 1359-6454
VL - 55
SP - 6064
EP - 6073
JO - Acta Materialia
JF - Acta Materialia
IS - 18
ER -