Microstructure-based finite element analysis of failure prediction in particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite

This paper reports microstructure-based finite element analysis of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite (PRMMC) to evaluate the stress-strain and failure behavior. The optimization of properties was carried out from analysis of microstructure of MMC since the properties depend on particles arrangement in microstructure. The microstructure with random particle arrangement and particle clusters were analysed. In order to model the microstructure for finite element analysis (FEA), the microstructures were converted into equivalent CAD file format. The FEA meshes were generated on the CAD model in ANSYS 7. The failures such as particle fracture, interface decohesion and matrix yielding were predicted for particle clustered and non-clustered microstructures. The effects of particles arrangement on the failure mechanisms were analysed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.