Aluminum matrix composites with weak particle matrix interfaces: Effective elastic properties investigated using micromechanical modeling

The impact of weak particle-matrix interfaces in aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) on effective elastic properties was studied using micromechanical finite-element analysis. Both simplified unit cell representations (i.e., representative area or volume elements) and “real” microstructure-based unit cells were considered. It is demonstrated that a 2D unit cell representation provides accurate effective properties only for strong particle-matrix bond conditions, and underpredicts the effective properties (compared to 3D unit cell computations) for weak interfaces. The computations based on real microstructure of an Al–TiB₂ composite fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) show that, for weak interfaces, the effective elastic properties under tension are different from those obtained under compression. Computations show that differences are the result of the local stress and strain fields, and contact mechanics between particles and the matrix. Preliminary measurements of the effective elastic properties using the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique and compression experiments support the trends observed in computational analysis.