Abstract:The distribution of stress and strain between adjacent particles in particulate reinforced metal matrix composites was investigated using cohesive zone models. It is found that the strain of the composite is concentrated in the matrix, and there is a region with higher strain along the loading path, which can promote the formation of a void near the particles pole. The stress and strain in matrix near the particles gradually decrease with the increase of the distance between particles. And it is calculated that there is a critical distance within which the stress and strain fields of the neighboring particles can influence with each other. This critical distance increases with the increase of particle size. It is also found that the angle between the tensile direction and the center line of particles plays an important role in the stress and strain distribution. The model with the angle of 0° has the greatest influence on the distribution of stress and strain in the matrix, while the model with the angle of 45° has the least influence on the distribution of stress and strain in the matrix.

Key words: stress; strain; metal matrix composite; finite-element analysis; fracture; interface