Effects of particle morphology and spacing on the strain fields in a plastically deforming matrix

More than 25 models have been created using the ABAQUS three-dimensional non-linear finite element software to reveal the stress and strain distributions around and within particles in a plastically deforming matrix. The effects of particle shape, volume fraction and distribution have been examined. The major effect is that a fibre-like stress distribution is developed in the matrix, linking the particles in the direction of loading, regardless of the variations in geometry or properties. However the stress and strain distributions are altered in detail in a systematic fashion by all these variables. Stresses in cubic particles are much higher than those in spherical particles. Hard particles which are closely spaced in the direction of loading develop very large stresses in the region between them on the line of loading, whereas the stresses are not nearly as significantly increased for particles closely spaced in the transverse direction. The variations in the distributions of stress and strain can be explained in a general way by reference to compatibility and equilibrium arguments.