Micromechanical modelling of fibre reinforced metal matrix composites subjected to longitudinal tensile loading

Abstract

Micromechanical response of the unidirectional fibre reinforced composite subjected to tensile loading in the direction of the fibre is of fundamental importance for the understanding of composite material behaviour. In the present study, a representative volume element (RVE), with a quarter fibre (SiC) surrounded by matrix (6061Al) has been developed to evaluate the axisymmetric stress field in and around fibre of unidirectional SiC/6061Al metal matrix composite subjected to axial tensile loading. Interfacial microscopic stress distribution around the fibre, interfacial normal and shear stress distribution have been studied for different volume fraction of fibre ranging from 10% to 50%. The study revealed that maximum normal stress along the radial direction of fibre is exhibited by 10% volume fraction of the fibre, and it decreases as the volume content of fibre increases due to the plastic strain of composite. The interfacial normal and shear stress increases with increasing volume fraction of fibre.