10.4225/49/56661B32D2262 PAUL MIGNONE PAUL MIGNONE Microstructural and mechanical modelling of multiphase materials: a case study on copper-infiltrated Tungsten (W-Cu) composites The University of Melbourne 2015 finite element analysis composite materials Tungsten-copper micromechanics carbon composites metal matrix composite finite element method porosity porous materials material characterisation serial sectioning random close packing Mechanical Engineering Nuclear Engineering Hypersonic Propulsion and Hypersonic Aerodynamics Biomaterials Structural Engineering Ceramics Composite and Hybrid Materials Functional Materials Materials Engineering not elsewhere classified Numerical Modelling and Mechanical Characterisation Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified Engineering not elsewhere classified Engineering Practice 2015-12-07 23:50:08 Online resource https://melbourne.figshare.com/articles/online_resource/Microstructural_and_mechanical_modelling_of_multiphase_materials_a_case_study_on_copper_infiltrated_Tungsten_W_Cu_composites/2006556 W-Cu is a candidate material for ultra-high temperature applications; however, little is understood about how its microstructure influences performance under mechanical loading. This is due to difficulties in capturing and digitising the microstructure due to the dense Tungsten matrix. This thesis presents both experimental and analytical methods to obtain a W-Cu microstructure for finite element analysis. The thesis also determines the correct representative volume of W-Cu for mechanical simulations, as well as the effect of porosity on its mechanical properties.