Mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of the 3D angle interlocking woven reinforced aluminum matrix composites under in-plane tensile loading

Abstract

3D angle interlocking fabric reinforced aluminum composites were prepared by the vacuum assisted pressure infiltration method. The mechanical properties and damage behavior of the composites subjected to in-plane tensile loading were investigated using the micromechanical finite element simulation and experimental method. The results show that the tensile stress-strain curve from simulation is in agreement with the testing curves, where the calculation errors of the initial modulus, ultimate strength and fracture strain in warp (weft) direction are 3.96%(1.11%), 1.40%(6.86%) and −5.49%(3.73%), respectively. Under the warp directional tension condition, the interface on warp yarns and the adjoint matrix alloy damage successively. With the increase of tensile strain, these damage zones accumulate and interact with each other, leading to the failure of interface, matrix and weft yarns in sequence. The fracture of warp yarns in the terminate stage induces the ultimate failure of the composites. During the weft directional tensile process, the interface on warp yarns and the thin matrix alloy between yarns damage and fail firstly. The transverse fracture of warp yarns occurs in the middle stage of tensile deformation. The axial fracture of weft yarns, which sustain the loading stress at the end of deformation process, is the main failure mechanism of the composites under weft directional tensile condition. The tensile modulus and strength in weft direction are 81.8% and 56.5% times than those in warp direction, owing to the lower volume fraction of weft yarns in the 3D angle interlocking fabric.