Analysis of 3D random AI18B4O33 whisker reinforced Mg composite using FEM and random sequential adsorption

Abstract

In order to understand the deformation behavior of randomly orientated ceramic whisker reinforced composite materials, three dimensional (3D) finite element models were developed. The actual distributions of the whiskers in the composite materials were reconstructed for the representative volume element of the composite, using a random sequential adsorption algorithm. The samples were random AI18B4O33 whisker reinforced magnesium matrix composites with a volume fraction of 15%. After modeling, the role of the random ceramic whisker in the deformation behavior of the magnesium matrix composite was investigated by the finite element method (FEM). The elastic modulus and stress-strain behaviors of the composite predicted by the microstructure-based model correlated well with the experimental results.©2010 The japan Institute of Metals.