An enhanced FEM model for particle size dependent flow strengthening and interface damage in particle reinforced metal matrix composites

By incorporating the dislocation punched zone model, the Taylor-based nonlocal theory of plasticity, and the cohesive zone model into the axisymmetric unit cell model, an enhanced FEM model is proposed in this paper to investigate the particle size dependent flow strengthening and interface damage in the particle reinforced metal matrix composites. The dislocation punched zone around a particle in the composite matrix is defined to consider the effect of geometrically necessary dislocations developed through a mismatch in the coefficients of the thermal expansion. The Taylor-based nonlocal theory of plasticity is applied to account for the effect of plastic strain gradient which produces geometrically necessary dislocations due to the geometrical mismatch between the matrix and the particle. The cohesive zone model is used to consider the effect of interfacial debonding. Lloyd's experimental data are used to verify this enhanced FEM model. In order to demonstrate flow strengthening mechanisms of the present model, we present the computational results of other different models and evaluate the strengthening effects of those models by comparison. Finally, the limitations of present model are pointed out for further development. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.