Composites consisting of a pure Al matrix reinforced with a network of sintered Ni-base fibres were prepared by squeeze casting. The composites inherit the in-plane transverse symmetry of the fibre orientations in the preform. The large ductility of these composites allows using them as model systems for assessing current models for predicting the plastic behaviour of ductile multiphase solids. The evolution of the phase stresses during tensile straining of two composites with 20 vol% and 30 vol% of Ni fibres was measured in the 3 principal directions by neutron diffraction. The results were compared to predictions of an elasto-plastic model of the composites based on the equivalent inclusion method and a mean field approach. The model aims at accounting for both the symmetry of the composite and for the connectivity of the reinforcing phase. These factors are shown to drastically affect the partition of plastic strains between the two phases.
Delannay, F., Lani, F., Ryelandt, L., & Salmon, C. (2003). Measurement and Modelling of the Strain Dependence of PhaseStresses During Plastic Straining of Aluminium/Nickel Composites: 132nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of TMS, San Diego, California, US. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/225615