Modelling of size effects on strengthening of multiphase Al based composites

A new multilevel mechanical model for multiphase metal matrix composite is proposed, accounting for size distribution effects. The matrix is considered as a micropolar elastic plastic Cosserat material and the hardening phases – as pure elastic ones. A two-steps homogenization procedure is applied to obtain the overall properties of the composite. A variational approach is used to evaluate the equivalent stress on macro level at the transition from micro to macro scale. The model is developed using information provided by microstructural investigations and EDX analysis. The elastic–plastic behaviour of rapidly solidified Al based Fe Si enriched alloys is considered. Due to fast cooling the material can be regarded as “natural” (in situ) composite, containing intermetallic and non-intermetallic compounds of different shapes, sizes, mechanical properties and volume fractions. The multistage modelling of bulk material manufacturing process is simulated using the FEM. The model is implemented as user defined subroutines into the FE code MARC. The influence of the microstructural size parameters on the hardening behaviour of the overall material is discussed.