A Computational Approach for the Constitutive Modeling of Elastoplastic Behavior of Metal Matrix Composites

Computational homogenization provides an excellent tool for the design of composite materials. In the current work, a computational approach is presented that is capable of estimating the elastic and rate-independent plastic constitutive behavior of metal matrix composites using finite element models of representative volume elements (RVEs) of the composite material. For this purpose, methodologies for the generation of three-dimensional computational microstructures, size determination of RVEs and the homogenization techniques are presented. Validation of the approach is carried out using aluminum–alumina composite samples prepared using sintering technique. Using the homogenized material response, effective constitutive models of the composite materials have been determined.