Inelastic behavior of metal-matrix composites reinforced with fibres of silicon carbide, alumina or carbon: a finite-element analysis

The thermomechanical behavior of an aluminum alloy bidirectionally reinforced by different types of fibers is computed by the finite-element method. After having derived the geometrical model of the composite, a sophisticated viscoplastic material model for the aluminum matrix is presented since the macroscopic behavior of the composite is decisively affected by the inelastic deformation of the matrix. Damage processes in the matrix are also considered. Several different fiber types described by isotropic or transversely isotropic elastic material laws are specified. Computations of various monotonic and cyclic loadings show the strong effect of the fiber material and the volume fraction of reinforcement on the deformation behavior of the matrix and therefore also on the macroscopic response of the whole composite.