Numerical models for thermal residual stresses in Al2O3 platelets/borosilicate glass matrix composites

In this paper, we model and numerically study thermal residual stresses in a borosilicate glass reinforced with Al2O3 platelets. This composite material was experimentally characterized in a previous work, The aim of this paper is to investigate further the thermal residual stresses in these composites that are responsible for toughening and to assess the variation or the thermal residual stresses with platelets content. A numerical model based on finite element simulations of the given microstructures is used. Computational tests are compared both with previously obtained experimental data and with simplified theoretical equations. The model provides consistent results which are in agreement with experimental measurements, Moreover. the numerical approach presented here is able to take into account the effect of particle shape on residual thermal stresses. which could not be computed easily by theoretical equations. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.