Thermal cyclic effects of metal matrix composites

The paper is presented to simulate the thermal cyclic effects of metal matrix composites. Based on Eshelby's inclusive theory, a constitutive model for metal matrix composites and an elastic constraint method were formulated to predict the cyclic isothermal and cyclic thermomechanical behaviors of metal matrix composites. A SiC reinforced Al 2xxx-T4 composite was studied theoretically with the model. With the constitutive relation of the matrix, the mechanical behaviors of the composite under different loading conditions, such as different loading rates,mechanical and thermal mechanical cyclic loading, can be quantitatively predicted. The thermal ratchet effect of the composite can be predicted by the model.