ABSTRACT
Finite element approaches are presented for the discrete modeling of transformation toughening. The models employ hybrid finite elements in the analysis of the stress distributions due to stress-induced phase transformations of particles. The overall levels of transformations and the size of the transformation zones obtained from the previous experiments are used to numerically calculate the transforming toughness. The numerical finite element estimates are compared with theoretical results obtained from continuum analyses in which the stress-induced phase transformations are smeared out across the transformation zones. The finite element predictions are also compared with experimental measurements of transformation characteristics.
