Numerical simulation of cyclic plasticity and damage of an aluminium metal matrix composite with particulate SiC inclusions

Models of strain cyclic plasticity and strain-accumulated damage were employed to analysis the behaviour of an aluminium SiC metal matrix composite (MMC) under cyclic loading. From the data obtained for the monolithic matrix material, a model for the mathematical simulation of the matric material response under monotonic and cyclic loading was produced. This model and the data from individual SiC inclusions were used in a finite element simulation of cyclic plasticity to prediction low fatigue lives of composite. It was shown that cyclic damage of the matrix material on the interface between Al and SiC is responsible for the number of cycles to composite failure. Theoretical strain/N curve is compared with experimental data for an MMC in low cyclic fatigue. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.