Micromechanical modeling of interface damage of metal matrix composites subjected to transverse loading

A three-dimensional finite element micromechanical model was developed to study effects of thermal residual stress, fiber coating and interface bonding on the transverse behavior of a unidirectional SiC/Ti–6Al–4V metal matrix composite (MMC). The presented model includes three phases, i.e. the fiber, coating and matrix, and two distinct interfaces, one between the fiber and coating and the other between coating and matrix. The model can be employed to investigate effects of various bonding levels of the interfaces on the initiation of damage during transverse loading of the composite system. Two different failure criteria, which are combinations of normal and shear stresses across the interfaces, were used to predict the failure of the fiber/coating (f/c) and coating/matrix (c/m) interfaces. Any interface fails as soon as the stress level reaches the interfacial strength. It was shown that in comparison with other interface models the predicted stress–strain curve for damaged interface demonstrates good agreement with experimental results.