Mesoscale Modeling of Al/Ni Composites

Material point method (MPM) simulations of a model reactive structure material (RSM) have been performed at the mesoscale. The MPM methodology employed allows us to generate representative microstructures of the RSM comprised of highly compacted powders of aluminum and nickel. MPM simulations of the RSM microstructures under shock and compressive loading utilizing EOS and constitutive models for the component materials as well as advanced contact models for particle-particle interactions were performed, allowing us to predict the mechanical and thermal behavior of the RSMs for various loading scenarios. The role of voids and particle-particle friction on the mechanical and thermal response of Al/Ni and the potential for mechanical loading (e.g., shock and impact) to initiate intermetallic reactions between aluminum and nickel are discussed.