A Micromechanics Model of Particle-Reinforced Composites Taking Account of the Debonding Damage and Particle Size Effect

Abstract

This paper deals with a micromechanics model of particle-reinforced composites which can describe debonding damage of particles-matrix interface, matrix plasticity and particle size effect on deformation and damage. The Tohgo-Chou-Weng's incremental damage theory of particle-reinforced composites based on the Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method and Mori-Tanaka's mean field concept has been extended to consider the particle size effect by using the Nan-Clarke's simple method. The particle size effect on deformation is realized by introducing dislocation plasticity for stress-strain relation of in-situ matrix in composites, and the particle size effect on damage is described by a strain energy release rate criterion for particle-matrix interfacial debonding. Furthermore, for the composites containing particles of various sizes, the effect of a particle size distribution is incorporated into the model. Influence of the debonding damage and particle size on the stress-strain response of composites is discussed based on numerical results by the proposed model.