Plastic deformation behavior of a uniaxial metal matrix composite under transverse compression

Abstract

Plastic deformation behavior of a stainless-steel/Sn−Bi composite was examined using transverse compression tests on rectangular specimens under plane strain loadings. Based on the anisotropic yield criterion proposed by Hill, a theoretical analysis on the relationship between the yield strength of the matrix material and the yield strength of the composite was developed and compared to experimental results. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of the forming parameters such as yield strength of the matrix material, fiber packing patterns, fiber volume fraction, and lubrication of the compression platens, on the plastic deformation behavior of the metal matrix composite. Failure modes of the composite included shear band formation and eye formation at the fiber-matrix interface. Low deformability in the transverse directions was found for the metal matrix composite specimen. The theoretical and experimental results on the effects of the forming parameters provide basic information for further research on the transverse compression of metal matrix composite materials.