Fast Statistical Homogenization Procedure for estimation of effective properties of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) with random microstructure

The modern polycrystalline composite materials have a complex internal structure consisting of different phases and interfaces with random distribution. Relevant examples are Al2O3/ZrO2, i.e. alumina/zirconia composites, widely used as structural materials with applications ranging from aerospace to bio-engineering. Depending on the phases content and on the grain size a broad range of material characteristics, among which elastic constants, can be obtained. With the aim of characterizing this class of materials, we exploit a numerical Fast Statistical Homogenization Procedure (FSHP) in order to both estimate the size of the Representative Volume Elements (RVE) and the effective elastic properties, assuming a linear elastic material behaviour. The 2-D analyses are performed considering a microstructure inspired by images of real portions of the Al2O3/ZrO2 composite obtained from a scanning electron microscope. The recent Virtual Element Method is used in combination with the FSHP approach to numerically solve boundary value problems. Different volume contents of phases are considered ranging from pure Alumina to pure zirconia. The results are useful to reliably characterize such materials in the elastic range taking into account the role played by random distribution of grains.