Parametric modeling of particle reinforced metal matrix composites

Abstract

Particle reinforced metal matrix composites have complex meso-structure.The construction of its geometric model is a challenging work in the research of its mechanical properties.Through the Python language interface of the ABAQUS software, the parametric modeling of the complex mesoscopic model of particle reinforced metal matrix composites was realized and encapsulated into a plug-in.The plug-in can construct the axisymmetric unit cell model, the three-dimensional periodic unit cell model and the randomly distributed representative volume element model.The effect of zirconia toughened alumina particles (ZTA) on the mechanical properties of zirconia toughened alumina particles reinforced iron matrix composites (ZTAp/Fe45) was analyzed.The results shows that the strengthening effect of irregular polyhedral particles on the elastic modulus of the composites was greater than that of spherical particles.However, the irregular morphology of ZTA resulted in more stress concentration in the composites.With the increase of ZTA particle volume fraction, the elastic modulus of ZTAp/Fe45 composites shows an upward trend, which indicates that the elastic properties of composites can be effectively improved by adding reinforced particles.In the case of low interfacial modulus, the improvement of interfacial bonding properties can significantly improve the elastic modulus of composites.After the interfacial modulus reaches the matrix modulus, the effect of increasing interfacial modulus on the elastic modulus of composites gradually slows down.

Keywords

• particle reinforced composites
• representative volume element
• finite element method
• zirconia toughened alumina
• parametric modeling