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Finite-element modeling of the particle clustering effect in a powder-metallurgy-processed ceramic-particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties

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Mechanics of Composite Materials Aims and scope

A new numerical method is proposed to predict the effect of particle clustering on grain boundaries in a ceramic- particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties, and micromechanical finite-element simulation of stress–strain responses in composites with random and clustered arrangements of ceramic particles are carried out. A particular material modeled and analyzed is a TiC-particle-reinforced Al matrix composite processed by powder metallurgy. A representative volume element of a composite microstructure with 5 vol.% TiC is reconstructed based on the tetrakaidecahedral grain boundary structure by using a modified random sequential adsorption. The model proposed in this study accurately represents the stress concentrations and particle-particle interactions during deformation of the powder-metallurgy-processed composite. A comparison with the random-arrangement model shows that the present numerical approach is more accurate in simulating the behavior of the composite material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea

    W. J. Lee, N. H. Kang, I. M. Park & Y. H. Park

  2. Department of Powder Materials Research, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Republic of Korea

    Y. J. Kim

Authors
  1. W. J. Lee
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  2. Y. J. Kim
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  3. N. H. Kang
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  4. I. M. Park
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  5. Y. H. Park
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Correspondence to Y. H. Park.

Additional information

Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 931-942, November-December, 2010.

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Lee, W.J., Kim, Y.J., Kang, N.H. et al. Finite-element modeling of the particle clustering effect in a powder-metallurgy-processed ceramic-particle-reinforced metal matrix composite on its mechanical properties. Mech Compos Mater 46, 639–648 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11029-011-9177-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11029-011-9177-y

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