Effect of matrix hardening on the tensile strength of alumina fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composites

This paper examines the stress distribution around a fiber break in alumina fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix (Al₂O₃/Al) composites using finite element analysis and predicts their tensile strengths using tensile failure simulations. In particular, we discuss the effect of matrix hardening on the tensile failure of the Al₂O₃/Al composites. First, we clarify the differences in the stress distribution around a fiber break between an elastic-perfect plastic matrix and an elastic-plastic hardening matrix using finite element analysis. Second, the procedures for simulating fiber damage evolution in the Al₂O₃/Al composites are presented. The simulation incorporates the analytical solution to the stress distribution of a broken fiber in the spring element model for the stress analysis of the whole composite. Finally, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations of fiber damage evolution to predict the tensile strength of the Al₂O₃/Al composites. Coupled with a size-scaling analysis, the simulated results express the size effect on the strengths of the composites seen in experimental results.