Numerical characterisation of hollow sphere composites based on perforated inclusions

Abstract

Metallic hollow sphere structures (MHSS) are a new type of reinforced materials and can be classified as an advanced composite material. A modified metallic hollow sphere MHS geometry which introduced the perforation becomes the main model in this research. This structure is called a perforated hollow sphere structures (PHSS) which is opened to be infiltrated by the matrix to fully embed it and form a composite. PHSS composites offer a new field of mechanical properties compared to cellular structures studied by other researchers. Emphasis will be given to determine the influence of the modified perforation diameter of PHSS composite in terms of macroscopic mechanical properties (e.g. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio). In addition, the mechanical properties of PHSS composites were also compared to hollow sphere (HS) composites (with and without filled matrix). A perforation introduced in the sphere shells obviously changes the mechanical properties of the PHSS composite, e.g. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. The result of the investigation revealed that these values decrease as the perforation diameter increases. PHSS composite models were simulated based on the unit cell approach by means of the Finite Element (FE) method. This method can reduce the costs of experimental tests and provides more information on possible mechanical properties of perforated hollow sphere structures (PHSS) composites. Nevertheless, experimental tests are still necessary and should be conducted in the future for validation purpose.