Modeling shear instability and fracture in dynamically deformed Al/W granular composites

Aluminum/Tungsten granular composites are materials which combine high density and strength with bulk distributed fracture of Al matrix into small particles under impact or shock loading. They are processed using cold and hot isostatic pressing of W particles/rods in the matrix of Al powder. Numerical models were used to elucidate the dynamic behavior of these materials under dynamic conditions simulating low velocity high energy impact in drop weight test (10 m/s). It was demonstrated that arrangement of W components and bonding between Al particles dramatically affect the samples shear localization and mode of fracture of the Al matrix in agreement with experiments.