Multiscale modeling of multiphase "in situ" composite

The elastic-plastic behaviour of rapidly solidified Al based (FeSi)-enriched alloys containing intermetallic compounds is considered. A new multilevel mechanical model for the “in situ” composite is proposed considering the aluminium matrix as a micropolar elastic plastic Cosserat material and the hardening phases as pure elastic ones. A two steps homogenization procedure is applied to obtain the overall properties of the multiphase “in situ“ composite, taking into account the existence of different sizes of intermetallic inclusions. A variational approach is applied to evaluate the equivalent stress on macro level at the transition from micro to macro scale. The model is developed using information provided by microstructural investigations and EDX analysis. The multistage bulk material manufacturing process from rapid solidified powders or ribbons is simulated using the Finite Element Method. The model is implemented as user subroutines into the FE code MARC. Numerical simulations are provided, corresponding to different values of metal forming parameters. The influence of the different inclusions sizes on the hardening behavior is discussed. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)