Effect of surface coating of particulate on the overall damping of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites

A novel model for calculating the damping capacity of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (PMMCs) is proposed from the viewpoint of energy loss, in which particulates of equal volume but with different shape morphologies have been employed. Effect of surface coatings of particulate on the overall damping of composite has been investigated by varying the thickness and the material properties of the coating. The calculated results reveal that the large aspect ratio of particulate is beneficial for the improvement of damping. In the case of elastic coating, the damping increases with the elastic modulus of coating. While for the plastic coating, the weak coating or the hard coating may help in improving the overall damping of composites.