The purpose of this study is to show that the strengthening mechanism of whisker reinfored metal matrix composites results from the formation of constraint condition induced by whisker/whisker interactions. An aligned axisymmetric single whisker model for the constraint and unconstraint condition has been analyzed to assess the field quantities as well as macroscopic constitutive responses. A domain-based stress grouping approach has been developed to study the plastic constraint effects. Hydrostatic stresses resulting from the triaxiality in the matrix between whisker ends were quantitatively evaluated implementing above approaches. It has been found that whisker stresses are very sensitive to the constraint effects and thus give an enhanced load bearing capability. Finally, the implication of fracture micromechanisms has been discussed in the standpoint of a domain-based constitutive response.

The purpose of this study is to show that the strengthening mechanism of whisker reinfored metal matrix composites results from the formation of constraint condition induced by whisker/whisker interactions. An aligned axisymmetric single whisker model for the constraint and unconstraint condition has been analyzed to assess the field quantities as well as macroscopic constitutive responses. A domain-based stress grouping approach has been developed to study the plastic constraint effects. Hydrostatic stresses resulting from the triaxiality in the matrix between whisker ends were quantitatively evaluated implementing above approaches. It has been found that whisker stresses are very sensitive to the constraint effects and thus give an enhanced load bearing capability. Finally, the implication of fracture micromechanisms has been discussed in the standpoint of a domain-based constitutive response.

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