Low-velocity impact behavior of Al 6061/SiC particulate metal matrix composites

Abstract

This study addresses the effects of impact velocity (impact energy) and particle volume fraction and particle size on the impact behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (Al 6061/SiC). Their effects on the contact force and plastic dissipation histories, the residual stress, and plastic strain distributions were also analyzed. The impact velocity and particle volume fraction and particle size were found to have a significant effect. The contact forces and durations increased significantly with increasing impact velocity. The predicted peak contact forces were in minimal errors for lower impact velocities, whereas the predicted impact durations were slightly longer. The composite structures become stiffer when the particle volume fraction is increased. Consequently, the contact force was increased, whereas the impact durations were shortened. However, a larger particle size resulted in lower contact forces, but longer impact durations. Particle reinforced composites can dissipate more kinetic energy in case the particle volume fraction decreases and the particle size increases. Increasing impact velocity and particle volume fraction increased residual stress levels and the plastic strain. Increasing the particle size resulted in the residual stress distributions to become non-uniform but increases in the plastic deformations.