Microstructural optimization of discontinuously-reinforced metal-matrix composites

摘要

A micromechanical model to study the tensile behaviour of discontinuously-reinforced metal-matrix composites is developed. The composite is represented as a three-dimensional array of hexagonal prisms, each containing one reinforcement (intact orfractured) at the center. In addition to the matrix and reinforcement properties and to the progressive fracture of the reinforcements during deformation, the model takes into account the interaction between reinforcements of different shapes and thepresence of matrix-rich and reinforcement-rich regions within the composite. The model was used to determine the microstructural factors which provide optimum behaviour from the point of view of the tensile strength and ductility.