Simulation of thermo-mechanical behavior and interfacial stress of metal matrix composite under thermal shock process

In this paper, a computational method is presented which aims to simulate the occurrence and evolution of residual stresses during thermal shock process of metal matrix composites. Here, a set of coupled equations of the heat conduction, stress/strain and phase transformation of materials is given in the framework of metallo-thermo-mechanical theory. As an example, simulation of a thermal shock associated with heating process by CO2 laser to Ti-Fe matrix reinforced unidrectionally by SiC fiber is engaged in this study. In results of this simulation, the microstructural behavior and residual stress on the interface of the fiber-matrix is evaluated, and the strength of the composites after the thermal shock is also predicted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.