Abstract
The addition of a dispersed ductile phase to a brittle material can lead to significant increases in fracture resistance compared to the untoughened matrix material. Often the important mechanism appears to be bridging by intact ductile ligaments behind the advancing crack tip. Although a framework for predicting toughness enhancements from bridging mechanisms exists, the required detailed model of ligament deformation which would provide the load-extension relation for a typical ligament has not been available. In this paper, numerical modeling of a plastically deforming ligament constrained by surrounding elastic matrix material is performed and the relevant toughness enhancement information extracted. Comparison is made to model experiments as needed to investigate such deformation processes as well as to toughnesses measured for technologically important composites. The results suggest that debonding along the interface between the ligament and the matrix may enhance the toughening effect of a ductile phase.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
