Numerical analysis of elastic and elastoplastic behavior of interpenetrating phase composites

[Display omitted] •3D random FE model which can characterize realistic microstructure of IPC.•Elastoplastic properties of IPC predicted by FE models and theoretical methods.•The predicted results by 3D random FE model accord better with experimental data. A routine is compiled to describe the spatial distributions of interpenetrating phases by solving the phase field equation. And a 3D random finite element (FE) model based on the phase field method is presented which can characterize the realistic microstructure of the interpenetrating phase composite (IPC) for the first time. Compared with the previous models, the present model is easier to generate at a low cost. The statistical criterion has been employed to determine the critical size of the 3D random FE model. The sample capacity has also been discussed. In addition, the cross-cubic model and the tetrakaidecahedron model are also conducted by finite element method (FEM) for comparison. Furthermore, the Young’s modulus and elastoplastic properties of IPC are predicted by FE models and theoretical methods, and the results of the 3D random FE model accord well with experimental data.