Role of microstructure in the thermomechanical behavior of SMA composites

A numerical study on the role of microstructure in the thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA) composites under uniaxial tension is performed The simulation is based on the micromechanics model established recently by the authors. The influence of the shape and volume fraction of SMA on the overall behavior of the composite as well as on the internal stress and strain evolution is investigated. The strengthening effect of SMA on ductile matrix is illustrated. The obtained results demonstrate several interesting features of the new composite find may serve as a quantitative basis for the microstructure design of this composite in the future.