Abstract:
Metal Matrix Composites, commonly known as MMCs, have gained popularity and
application in different engineering fields due to their good combination of mechanical
properties. However, the nonlinear behavior of MMCs under different conditions
makes it difficult to predict their mechanical behaviors. Notably, complete methods
that fulfil the general modeling requirements of MMCs have not been established yet.
This study presents a Python script for the homogenization of nonlinear properties of
the metal matrix Aluminum Silicon Carbide using ABAQUS finite element commercial
software. The script utilizes the Nonuniform Transformational Field Analysis method
(NTFA), which is a widely accepted technique for the homogenization of composite
materials on a three-dimensional metal matrix Representative Volume Element (RVE)
and predicts the effective properties under different Periodic Boundary Conditions
(PBC). NTFA is based on solving a set of partial differential equations using the finite
element method, and the solutions are used to calculate the effective properties of the
composite. The main advantage of the script is that it's automated and can be easily
modified and applied to different types of MMCs and complex geometries. The results
obtained from the study are investigated and found to be in good agreement with
experimental data and other existing numerical methods.