The effects of network reinforcement distribution on the mechanical properties and cutting behavior of SiCp/Al composites

The morphology and distribution structure of the reinforcement have a significant effect on the mechanical properties and cutting process of composites. In this paper, two-dimensional tensile and cutting models are established respectively, and the validity of the models is verified by comparing with the cutting force and chip morphology in the experiment. The effects of network reinforcement distribution and particle aspect ratio on the mechanical properties and surface quality of SiCp/Al composites were compared and analyzed. Results show that the aggregation of particles can enhance their continuity, thereby improving their bearing capacity. Network structures and the increase in aspect ratios of particles both can enhance the degree of aggregation of particles, thereby improving their bearing capacity. However, an increase in the degree of aggregation of particles will also lead to an increase in cutting forces and a deterioration in surface quality. The hybrid network structure of particles with different aspect ratios was proposed. Compared with the ellipse particle reinforced network composites model, the network structure with hybrid particles improved the surface quality by 41.7%, while ensures the strengthening effect of the composite material.