Phase-Specific Analysis and Simulation of Micro Deformation and Damage in Metal Matrix Composites

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The localization of strain and the nucleation of micro damages in ductile materials like metals are of high technical significance since these microstructural processes affect the mechanical behavior during loading, forming and machining of such materials. Moreover, there is a relationship between the regions of elevated strain on one side and the sites of micro damages and the modes of macroscopic failure on the other side. In order to control such microstructural processes, metallic materials are reinforced for example by dispersing hard particles. Such metal matrix composites (MMCs) have become more and more attractive since their mechanical properties can be tailored to various applications over a wide range.Using a combination of 2D/3D experimental analysis and simulation techniques and under consideration of residual stresses, this project aims at the understanding of micro deformation and damage processes in microstructural regions of MMCs by the example of the system Co/WC diamond:Specimens made of various Co/WC diamond MMCs will be loaded in tension to different stages of strain. In these stages, the gauge sections of the specimens are imaged by SEM and 3D micro-tomography (µCT). With a test rig which will be constructed in the project and which is dedicated for the µCT setup in situ tensile tests will be carried out. A correlation algorithm for the phase-specific analyses of the 3D strain fields will be developed and applied to the 3D images. This iterative correlation algorithm takes into account the distributions of the phases in the microstructure which can be extracted from the tomographic images. Furthermore, the effect of residual stresses, microstructural parameters and the Co/diamond bonding on the initiation of strain and stress concentration sites and the beginning of damage at a microscopic scale will be investigated.Based on the experimentally obtained phase distributions a realistic 3D FE model of the phase geometry of the Co/WC diamond MMC will be built up to simulate the micro deformation and damage processes of the investigated MMC. Displacement vector fields measured at the model boundaries will be used as boundary conditions for the FE simulation. The comparison of the simulation results with the experimental findings on the basis of strain fields, residual stresses and damage processes will help to verify the simulation model. With such a verified numerical model, it will be possible to derive a better understanding of the deformation and damage behavior of the composite by performing parameter studies concerning different phase arrangements and different phase volume fractions. The close cooperation between the experimental analyses and simulations is considered to be a key element for achieving these aims.