Multiscale simulation of elastic response and residual stress for ceramic particle reinforced composites

Abstract In this study, the elastic response and residual stress of the ceramic matrix composites were simulated in multiscale view for exploring the elastic modulus of the two-phase composites reinforced with ceramic particles by diffraction method. Combined with the macroscopic stress-strain relationship of two-phase composites, the effective elastic response model under uniaxial loading was theoretically predicted by introducing the effective representative volume element (RVE). Subsequently, the effective elastic properties of the material and its constituents were calculated, along with comparison with the experimental values reported in the literature. On the basis of Eshelby's inclusion theory, a micromechanical elastic response model for the two-phase composites was established, and a series of micromechanical field equations related to the crystal planes diffraction elastic constants were derived. A comparison with the different micromechanical models for predicting the crystal planes diffraction elastic constants of the ceramic matrix and particle reinforcement was carried out, so as to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the residual stress. It was revealed that the effective elastic parameters of the ZrB2 matrix and SiC particle reinforcement were very close to the experimental values reported in literature, and the calculated values of the elastic modulus in seven crystallographic diffraction directions were similar to the experimental values. In addition, the average residual stress of the SiC reinforcement and the ZrB2 ceramic matrix predicted by the developed model were consistent with the measured, which proved the reliability and accuracy of the theoretical model for multiscale simulation of the residual stress of two-phase composites.