Numerical simulation of laser forming of aluminum matrix composites with different volume fractions of reinforcement

In this paper, the deformation behavior of an aluminum matrix composite with different volume fractions of particle reinforcement was investigated during laser forming by a microstructure-integrated finite element method. A modified self-consistent analytical model was developed to obtain the relationship between the mechanical properties of the composite and its matrix material. Different from Duva's model, the present analytical model assumed that the matrix material and the composite follow the same Ramberg–Osgood type of power law but with different hardening exponents. Based on the properties of the matrix material determined by the analytical model, the thermo-physical properties of the composite with different volume fractions of particles were obtained by the unit cell model. A microstructure-integrated finite element method was subsequently applied to predict the deformation behavior and the bending angle of the composite. It was found that the bending angle of the composite increased with an increase in volume fraction of particles.