Prediction of interfacial strength and failure mechanisms in particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites based on a micromechanical model

• A micromechanical model with BCC particle distribution was developed using CZM.
• Interfacial properties of a particle-reinforced composite were predicted.
• Interfacial failure mechanisms of particle-reinforced composites were analyzed.
• Effects of interfacial properties on tensile behavior of composite were studied.

The interfacial strength and failure mechanisms of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites were predicted using a micromechanical model. The micromechanical model was constructed based on the cohesive zone model, and the spherical particle was arranged on the body-centered cubic distribution. The SiC particle-reinforced Al matrix composite was chosen as the model system and its interfacial properties was predicted. It can be seen that a complete interfacial debonding all over the particle could never be reached, and the plastic strain of composite when the interfacial debonding begins to appear shows an increase trend with the increasing of interfacial strength.