Interface model of the influence of particle size on the plastic deformation resistance of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Abstract

An interface model is proposed for the analysis of the influence of particle size on the plastic properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs). Dimensional effects are considered through surface strains and shear stresses at the interphase boundary. In comparison with the theories of the gradient of plastic strain, the proposed model greatly simplifies the analysis of dimensional effects. To calculate the plastic deformation diagram of an MMCs with an arbitrary particle size, it is sufficient to know the experimental diagram with one basic particle size and a theoretical diagram of deformation. The theoretical diagram is calculated using one of the classical models of homogenization. The results of calculating the deformation diagrams are in good agreement with the experimental data for aluminum MMCs reinforced with silicon carbide particles of various sizes.