Numerical Simulation of the Mechanical Properties and Fracture of SiCp/6061Al Composite Materials Based on Microstructure

Abstract

SiCp/6061Al composites with volume fractions of 5%, 10%, and 15% were prepared by the vacuum hot pressing sintering. Their microstructure and fracture morphology were observed and analyzed with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The elastic–plastic behavior of the 6061Al matrix in the composites was studied by using the load–displacement curve obtained by the nanoindentation test, and the plastic constitutive equation was established. The representative volume element (RVE) model was established based on the geometric characteristics of the SiC particles identified by using image processing technology from the metallographic structure. The deformation and fracture process of the SiCp/6061Al composites under the uniaxial tensile load was simulated microscopically, and the microscopic deformation and fracture characteristics and mechanical properties of SiCp/6061Al composites under different interface strengths and different SiCp volume fractions were revealed.

Keywords

• metal matrix composites (MMCs)
• mechanical properties
• finite element analysis (FEA)
• microstructural analysis