Interphase effect on the strengthening behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites

Interphase effect on the strengthening behavior of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites is numerically investigated, in which the stiffness, thickness and debonding location of interphase are considered. Embedded cell model and finite element method are used in analysis. The numerical results indicate that hard and soft interphases result in the increase and significant decrease of the strength of composite, respectively. Location of debonding has quite different effects. Pole debonding results in a remarkable decrease of the overall strength of composite, while equator debonding results in a slight decrease of the strength of composite. Debonding between the interphase and matrix has more significant effect than that between the interphase and particle. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.