Stress and strain partitioning in a AgNi fibre composite under transverse loading finite element modelling and experimental study

The stress-strain behaviour of a AgNi fiber composite under transverse loading was modelled by two-dimensional finite element calculations and compared to experiments in plane strain on composites with fiber volume fractions between 25 and 75%. Local strains after deformation were assessed by microhardness indentation measurements to obtain experimental data for stress and strain partitioning between the phases. Using these partitioning data, the flow curves of the composites can be reconstructed from the experimentally determined flow curves of the two components. Local strains are also derived from the FE calculations, which, in addition, yield data on the stress triaxiality resulting from the condition of strain compatibility at the phase boundaries. Fair agreement between calculation and experiment indicates that FE modelling is a useful tool for studying the deformation behaviour of composites up to large plastic strains.