Thermoelastoplastic analysis of a filamentary metal matrix composite

The thermoelastoplastic behavior of a unidirectional metal matrix composite (SiC/Al) material was studied with a coaxial cylinder model. The fiber is considered elastic and temperature-independent whereas the matrix is thermoviscoplastic and fitted into a series of power-law strain hardening models. The analysis was based on a successive approximation scheme with the plastic flow rule and von Mises yield criterion. The three-dimensional state of stress in the fiber and matrix was computed for mechanical and thermal loadings. In addition, the stress-strain curves under longitudinal tension at different temperatures and the thermal strain-temperature relation of the composite were predicted and compared with experimental results. The predicted stress-strain curves under longitudinal tension at different temperature showed good agreement with experimental results. The predicted thermal strain-temperature curves in the longitudinal and transverse directions were also in favorable agreement with experimental ones.