Micromechanical Analysis Of Yielding For Particulate Filled Composites

Abstract

Particulate filled composites are hybrid materials which consist of particulates held together by a matrix. In this thesis, a simulation method to obtain overall failure criterion for particulate filled composites based on the computer software "MATHEMATICA" will be presented. The composite is assumed to fail at the matrix just outside the inclusion. By Self-Consistent Method, the composite can be imaged as an inclusion embedded within effective matrix. The Equivalent Inclusion method is then applied to stimulate the stress field within the inclusion. Stress just outside inclusion can be calculated because interfacial traction force on the boundary of inclusion is continuous. The stress just outside inclusion can be applied to a suitable failure criterion. Therefore, local failure criterions can be obtained and transferred into global failure criterion.