Modeling of the Effective Properties of Metal Matrix Composites Using Computational Homogenization

Abstract

On the macrolevel metal matrix composites (MMCs) resemble a homogeneous material. However, on the microlevel they have an inhomogeneous microstructure. This paper will show how heterogeneities affect the effective macroscopic properties the material, i.e. the effective properties. This investigation is done using computational homogenization techniques. Finite element (FE) simulations were conducted in ABAQUS in combination with MATLAB, using material parameters for aluminum alloy AA2124 and silicon carbide SiC to develop a representative volume element (RVE) of the MMC AMC217xe.