The influence of the free surface on the fracture of alumina particles in an Al-Al2O3 metal-matrix composite

• Published in: Computational materials science Vol. 26; pp. 183 - 188
• Main Authors: BORBELY, A, BIERMANN, H, HARTMANN, O, BUFFERRE, J. Y
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science 2003
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fractures; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Aluminium oxide; Inclusion; Metal matrix composite; Rupture; Microtomography; Aluminium; Two dimensional model; Numerical method; Free surface; Boundary condition; Experimental study; Tension test; Composite material; Dispersion strengthened metal; Inorganic compound; Finite element method; Metal-matrix composites; Elastoplasticity; Tomography; Microstructure; Damage; Fractography; Damaging
• ISSN: 0927-0256; 1879-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/S0927-0256(02)00397-X

The influence of the free surface on the load carried by elastic inclusions embedded in an elastic--plastic matrix was investigated by the finite element method. A 2D multi-particle model was developed based on the statistical evaluation of the microstructure of a commercial metal--matrix composite. The results of simulated tensile tests show that the average particle stresses are sensitive to the adopted boundary conditions. Inclusions near a free boundary carry in general smaller loads than the inclusions in the bulk. Damage predictions of the model are in good agreement with the experimental data obtained by X-ray microtomography.