| Uniaxial compression tests and finite element computation (FEC) were carried out to study the strain localization behaviour in single and multiple TiB{dollar}sb2{dollar} particle/Cu metal matrix composites. The variables involved are: applied stress level, number of particles and inter-particle spacing. Experimental work demonstrated clearly non-uniform distribution of slip bands which were always detected first in the location adjacent to the reinforcing particle(s) in the direction of applied stress. This was found to be true even when the overall macroscopic strain reading was still in the elastic range. Results from the FEC study were found consistent with the above results and further show that (i) A maximum von Mises stress always appeared between two adjacent particles in the loading direction, (ii) The value of this maximum stress increased with decreased inter-particle spacing, whereas the plastic strains incurred decreases, and (iii) Addition of more particles would introduce stronger triaxial constraints thereby altering the stress and strain distribution in the Cu matrix, which promotes higher elastic constant and yield stress. Comparison of the FEC and experimental work with results from actual SiC{dollar}sb{lcub}rm p{rcub}{dollar}/Al metal matrix composite showed general agreement in all aspects of deformation behaviour with good consistency. |
