Explaining Deviatoric Residual Stresses in Aluminum Matrix Composites with Complex Microstructure

The residual stresses in multiphase metal matrix composites with both random planar-oriented short fibers and particles were studied by neutron diffraction and by a model based on the reformulation of classic Maxwell’s homogenization method. Contrary to common understanding and state-of-the-art models, we experimentally observed that randomly oriented phases possess non-hydrostatic residual stress. The recently developed modeling approach allows calculating the residual stress in all phases of the composites. It rationalizes the presence of deviatoric stresses accounting for the interaction of random oriented phases with fibers having preferential orientation.