Finite element analysis for deformation behavior of an aluminum alloy composite containing SiC particles and porosities during ECAP

The plastic response of an aluminum alloy composite containing a particle and porosities was investigated during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature. Finite element analysis by using ABAQUS shows that ECAP is a useful tool for eliminating residual porosities in the specimen, and more effective under friction condition. The simulation, however, shows considerably low density distributions for the matrix near the inclusion at which many defects may occur during severe deformation. Finite element results of the effective strains and deformed shapes for the matrix with a particle were compared with theoretical calculations under simple shear stress. Also, based on the distribution of the maximum principal stress in the specimen, the Weibull fracture probability was obtained for particle sizes and particle-coating layer materials. The probability agreed well with the trend of more susceptible failure of a brittle coating layer than a particle without an interphase in metal matrix composites. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.