Multiscale modelling of heterogeneous materials: description of microstructure evolution and scale effects
The aim of the research is development of the reliable methods of multiscale/micromechanical analysis suitable for estimation of a non-linear thermomechanical response of strongly heterogeneous materials in which additional substructure develops. Two types of heterogeneous media will be considered: polycrystalline metals and alloys of high specific strength, in which heterogeneity is mainly the result of strong anisotropy of single crystals, and metal matrix composites, in which it results from high contrast in phase properties. Multiscale analysis of heterogeneous media will be conducted using micromechanical modeling in the general framework of mean-field approaches and multiscale analysis of representative volume elements (RVE) using finite element method (FEM). Experimental validation of the developed modeling tools will be performed with use of two selected representative materials: Mg alloy as an example of metal of high specific strength with strong local anisotropy and NiAl-Al2O3 system as an example of metal matrix composite. The research are important for understanding the relation between the microstructure and the overall thermomechanical performance of heterogeneous material. Understanding of such relation is useful in multifunctional material design process.
a.Simplified unit cell for metal-matrix particulate composite and corresponding FEM mesh,
b. the estimated Young modulus for selected composite system, solid line – the self-consistent mean-field model predictions (results obtained in KomCerMet project)