Articles techniques et présentations

A series of 2-D finite element models of a ZrO₂-ZrW₂O₈ composite system were created in COMSOL Multiphysics to study the effect of pores between the matrix (ZrO₂) and filler (ZrW₂O₈) materials.

Pores were modeled as ellipses concentric with the filler particles. Seventeen model geometries of varying microstructure were studied in order to determine correlations between microstructural factors and thermal stress. A contact model of closing pores was included. A hyperelastic material model was created to determine the effects of the pressure-induced phase transition.