Multi-scale Simulation of Interpenetrating SiC/Al Composite Armor Materials Subjected to Impact Loading Using a Macro-micro Approach

doi:10.15541/jim20160391

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the macro anti-penetration performance of interpenetrating SiC/Al composite is controlled mainly by the complex three-dimensional microstructure features. Muti-scale simulation of SiC/Al composite under impact loading was performed by using a macro-micro method. The simulation for macro SiC/Al composite armor plate under impact loading was employed first, then the dynamic boundary conditions from the typical local regions in SiC/Al composite were obtained and applied on its microstructural finite element model as a loading condition to analyze the dynamic damage and failure process in the typical local regions. The results revealed that, in the local region right below the impact point, the cracks initiated mainly near the SiC/Al interface, just on the side of the SiC ceramic phase, then continuously propagated parallel to the direction of the bullet axis and eventually converged together to form axial main cracks. Meanwhile, in the region at a 45º angle to the direction of bullet axis, the cracks initiated not only near the SiC/Al interface but also inside the ceramic phase. Subsequently, these cracks propagated, bridged and finally formed cone main cracks. This simulation method provides a feasible technical approach for microstructure topology optimization of the material.

Key words: interpenetrating SiC/Al composites, macro-micro multi-scale simulation, dynamic damage and failure process

CLC Number:

TB333

LI Guo-Ju, FAN Qun-Bo, WANG Yang-Wei, SHI Ran. Multi-scale Simulation of Interpenetrating SiC/Al Composite Armor Materials Subjected to Impact Loading Using a Macro-micro Approach[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2017, 32(4): 425-430.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig. 1 Macro 1/4 finite element model under impact loading

Fig. 2 Process of micro-CT scanning and reconstruction of SiC skeleton

Fig. 3 Schematic of binarization process of Micro-CT slice images(a) Unprocessed Micro-CT slice image; (b) Processed Micro-CT slice image

Fig. 4 Process of reconstruction of 3D microstructure model for SiC/Al composite using Simpleware software(a) Binary micro-CT slice images of SiC skeleton; (b) 3D microstructure model of SiC skeleton; (c) 3D microstructure model of Al phase; (d) 3D microstructure model of SiC/Al composite

Fig. 5 3D finite element microstructure model of SiC/Al composite

Fig. 6 Schematic of multi-scale simulation(a) Macro finite element model for SiC/Al composite armor under impact loading, (b) local 3D model and (c) 3D microstructure finite element model

Fig. 7 Damage contour of SiC/Al armor composite

Fig. 8 SEM image of SiC/Al composite after target test

Fig. 9 3D microstructure model of SiC/Al composite(a) Schematic of the vertical cutting site and (b) cross-section after cutting

Fig. 10 Initiation process of crack near the interface of SiC and Al phases(a) t=2.5 μs; (b) t=3.5 μs

Fig. 11 Formation process of axial cracks(a) t=4.0 μs; (b) t=6.0 μs; (c) t=6.5 μs; (d) t=8.5 μs

Fig. 12 Propagation process of crack along the interface of SiC and Al phases(a) t=4.5 μs; (b) t=7.0 μs

Fig. 13 Formation process of the cone cracks(a) t=7.5 μs; (b) t=8.0 μs; (c) t=9.0 μs; (d) t=11.0 μs

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