Strengthening due to the percolating eutectic microstructure in squeeze cast MRI230D

A 3D numerical image of the percolating eutectic in a squeeze cast MRI230D was incorporated into a finite element code to assess its deformation behaviour. The modelling revealed a high structural compliance, akin to the bending-dominated behaviour of cellular foams. At yield, contribution of the 3D network to the alloy’s strength was comparable with the dispersion strengthening expected from an equivalent volume fraction of dispersed particles. Incorporating damage effects into the model indicated that due to its high compliance the percolating microstructure can be expected to keep most of its structural integrity, reinforcing the alloy without compromising the ductility, for strains above 1%.