Modeling the effect of particle clustering on the mechanical behavior of SiC particle reinforced Al matrix composites

The tensile behavior of a 20% SiC particle reinforced Al-Si composite with different degrees of clustering showed that an increase in particle clustering yielded a higher work hardening rate, with reduction in ductility. The effect of particle clustering on stress-strain behavior using the finite element method (FEM) was investigated and the fraction of fractured particles as a function of applied strain was estimated. The distribution of equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) of the composite during deformation showed that for lower particle clustering, the plastic deformation of the metal matrix is homogenous until the onset of first particle fracture. Simulation results showed that particle fracture has been explicitly incorporated in simulations of fracture of Al-SiC_p composites with different degrees of clustering. The particles clustering has no effect on the tensile behavior of composite when particle fracture is not considered.