Numerical simulation of the debonding behavior of fiber reinforced metal matrix composites

Abstract

Finite element analysis (FEA) is performed for investigating the debonding behavior of fiber reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). An Axisymmetric cylindrical and three dimensional solid finite element (FE) models without interface are constructed which consist of a stainless spring steel wire as fiber reinforcement and an aluminium alloy as matrix. Numerical simulation is carried out with both the spherical and cylindrical indenters. The simulation results obtained in this work are compared with the experimental findings reported in the past. The initial part of load–displacement curve for cylindrical indenter is linear in nature as compared to the non linear behaviour with the spherical indenter. This shows that the non linearity is because of the shape of the indenter and not due to other reasons such as incorrect modeling. The coefficient of friction does not affect the response regarding the load–displacement curve. A large gap between the experimental and simulation curves for the elastic region is due to stiffness of the experimental setup. The simulation curve shows continuous increase in the value of load which is due to the absence of definition of failure criterion. The axisymmetric FE model presented in this study shows the capability to simulate the debonding behaviour of fiber reinforced MMCs. However, it can be improved further with the implementation of cohesive layer concept for modeling the fiber–matrix interface. In future work, the FEA of the axisymmetric model with interface using the cohesive zone modeling (CZM) for the interface will be carried out.