In this paper, in order to investigate the validity of the assumption of using circular shape and one diameter particulates in modelling particulate composite metals; a numerical investigation of the effects of particulate shape and size variation on the numerical models of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs) is conducted. A 2D nonlinear finite element model was developed using ANSYS/Implicit commercial program for modelling and analysing elasticity of silicon carbide reinforced aluminium matrix composites. With a mesh size of 0.7 µm, a plate with dimensions 100 x 200 µm containing randomly distributed particulates which are modelled as circles and as polygons having various numbers of sides, with particulate size ranging between 2-10 µm at volume fractions VFs ranging between 5-20%, is modelled. In the framework of a random microstructure-based finite element modelling, the matrix-particulate interface contact is simulated by employing the node-edge unbreakable bonded zone method, which has shown good agree with experimental results, while the particulate and the matrix behaviour are modelled by the elastoplastic material model. Calculated results have shown that the model of polygon-shaped particulates having a constant size model has the highest agree with experimental results at VF of 20% with an error of 0.7%, while the model of circulate-shaped particulates showed an error of almost 5%
Anahtar Kelimeler: particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs), finite element method (FEM), random microstructure-based model
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