An eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) study on the effect of reinforcing particles on the crack propagation behavior in a metal–matrix composite

In this paper, the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was integrated in ABAQUS to simulate crack propagation and to predict the effect of reinforcing particles to the crack propagation behavior of Al2O3/Al6061 composite materials. It has been demonstrated that, higher reinforcing particle volume fraction leads to improved fatigue resistance and smaller particles size is more effective than larger particles at the same particle volume fraction. The underlying mechanisms of these effects are systematically investigated. The stress fields captured by XFEM during the crack propagation help in understanding the crack propagation behavior during cyclic loading.

Graphical abstractStress field near crack tip for models without (A) and with (B) reinforcing particles. Fatigue performance: Number of cycles versus crack length for different volume fractions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The effects of particle size and volume fraction on crack propagation behavior in a particles reinforced metal-matrix composite were investigated by an XFEM. ► Crack propagation resistance increases with the volume fraction of the reinforcing particles. ► Smaller particles are more effective in improving crack propagation resistance than larger particles at the same particle volume fraction. ► The large stress field concentration around the crack tip is dissipated by the reinforcing particles. ► The reinforcing particles bear higher load and thus decrease the load to the matrix, which increases the fatigue resistance of the material.