Effect of Bricks-and-Mortar Architecture on Fracture Behavior of SiCp/Al Composite: A Finite Element Analysis

The metal-matrix composites (MMCs) with biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architectures have been experimentally demonstrated to exhibit excellent strength-ductility match. Here, biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architecture mimicking masonry bonds was introduced in numerical models. By translating perpendicular layers on stack bond model, 1/2 running and running bond models were established. The results reveal that elongation of running bond model is the highest (4.77%), which is ∼ 1.5 times as that of stack type model. The strength of these models is similar (330 ± 1 MPa). However, it is the trade-off between load bearing capacity and fracture of SiC particles. In the stack bond model, over a small junction layer area led to a relatively straight crack path and thus lower elongation. On the contrary, running bond model shows a zigzag main crack. So, the main crack deflects frequently with high energy consumption. Furthermore, crack deflection into matrix cell increases propagation resistance, leading to the highest elongation in the running bond model. Therefore, the biomimetic bricks-and-mortar architecture delays and deflects main crack propagation. These findings have significant implication for the architecture design of advanced composite materials.