Effect of an interphase layer on the dynamic stress concentration in a Mg-matrix surrounding a SiC-particle

The potential of using an interphase layer to reduce stress concentrations under a dynamic loading in a Mg-matrix surrounding a SiC-particle is investigated in this study. An interphase layer was applied between the particle and the matrix and the contact between them was assumed to be perfect. Both constant-property materials and functionally graded materials were considered for the interphase. A constant-property interphase was modelled as a single layer while a functionally graded interphase was divided into a number of sublayers and each sublayer was treated as having constant material properties. Numerical results reveal that the interphase layer made of a constant-property material shows better stress concentration reduction than that made of functionally graded materials. An interphase layer with low values of both shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio is necessary for a significant stress concentration reduction. Studies were focused on determining the maximum stress concentration that occurs over a range of frequencies. This investigation has revealed that a stress concentration reduction of up to 44% could be realized.