Abstract
The micromechanics model proposed by Aboudi is employed to predict the response of two types of metal matrix unidirectional composites characterized by different microstructures; namely, boron/aluminum and graphite/aluminum. The analytical predictions are compared with experimental data obtained from tension and compression tests. It is illustrated that the elastoplastic response of boron/aluminum is modelled with good accuracy by the micromechanics model. In the case of graphite/aluminum, however, the nonlinear response in compression is affected by secondary dissipative mechanisms which, in turn, result in differences in the experimental/analytical correlation for compressive loading. These differences are discussed in terms of the microstructure of the graphite/aluminum system.
