Failure Analysis of Particle Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite With a Microscopic Mechanical Model Using Modified GTN Model

A microscopic mechanical model is developed to investigate the mechanical properties and damage behavior of aluminum matrix composites. The effect of particle size distribution and shapes on the properties of aluminum matrix composites is investigated by building three-dimensional (3D) representative volume elements (RVE). The particle size-dependent strengthening and mismatch of thermal expansion strengthening are considered using Taylor-based nonlocal theory of plastic. The damage of matrix is predicted based on the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) theory. Shear effects are introduced to the GTN model to better describe the failure behavior at low levels of stress triaxiality. A maximum principal stress criterion is used to describe the failure behavior of SiC particles and cohesive behavior is adopted to simulate interface debonding between matrix and particles. Results show that particle size and shape have a significant effect on the failure behaviour of aluminum matrix composites.