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      The influence of the microstructural shape on the mechanical behaviour of interpenetrating phase composites

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      G_Del_Frari_Thesis.pdf (3.326Mb)
      Date
      2005-03-17
      Author
      Del Frari, Gregory Albert
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Masters
      Metadata
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      Abstract
      The microstructure-property relationship for interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) is currently poorly understood. In an attempt to improve this understanding this study focused on one particular part of this relationship: the effect of phase shape on the elastic and plastic behaviour. A review of previous research showed that investigations had linked phase shape to the elastic and plastic behaviour of various inclusion reinforced composites, but that no similar work had been completed for IPCs. To study the complex response of the IPC microstructure under load, a numerical modelling analysis using the finite element method (FEM) was undertaken. Two three-dimensional models of IPCs were created, the first consisting of an interconnected spherical phase with the interstitial space forming the other interconnected phase, and the second replacing the spherical phase with an interconnected cylindrical phase. With the simulation of a uniaxial tension test under elastic and plastic conditions, these two models exhibited different responses based on the shape of the phases. Results from an analysis of the macroscopic behaviour identified that the cylindrical model produced greater effective properties than the spherical model at the same volume fraction. The influence of phase shape was connected to the increased contiguity of the superior phase within the IPC for the cylindrical model, which allowed similar levels of long-range continuity with smaller amounts of the superior phase (compared to the spherical model). An examination of microstructural stress distributions showed that preferential stress transfer occurred along paths of low compliance. This provided an explanation of how the improved contiguity of the stiffer (or stronger) phase could enhance the macroscopic effective properties of an IPC. Contiguity of the stronger phase was particularly important for plastic behaviour, where early yielding of the weaker phase requires the stronger phase to carry nearly all the load within itself.
      Degree
      Master of Science (M.Sc.)
      Department
      Civil Engineering
      Program
      Civil Engineering
      Supervisor
      Wegner, Leon D.
      Committee
      Yannacopoulos, Spiro; Sparling, Bruce F.; Peng, Jian; Boulfiza, Mohamed
      Copyright Date
      March 2005
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/etd-03232005-182730
      Subject
      continuity
      contiguity
      behaviour
      mechanical
      finite element method
      co-continuous
      interpenetrating phase composites
      microstructural
      shape
      elastic
      plastic
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