Effect of crack position on stress intensity factor in particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

In this study, a numerical model was developed to study the effects of mechanical properties of the particle and matrix materials, the crack position (in particle/in matrix) and loading conditions (mode I and mixed-mode) in particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites. The finite element technique was used to calculate the stress intensity factors for crack at and near-interface. The Displacement Correlation Method was used to calculate the stress intensity factors K-1 and K-2. In the present model, the particle and matrix materials were modeled in linear elastic conditions. The interface crack was considered between the particle and matrix, without the presence of the interface. For near-interface crack problem, two different crack positions (in particle/in matrix) were selected. The obtained results show the key role on the stress intensity factors played by the relative elastic properties of the particle and matrix. The results also show that loading condition has an important effect on the K-2 stress intensity factor and the crack deflection angle. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.