A strain gradient-strengthening law for particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites was developed on the basis of a simple geometrically-necessary dislocation model. From this law, it was deduced that strengthening in such composites was controlled by the characteristic microstructural scale and by the strain gradient in the matrix. Furthermore, it was advisable to include the particle-size effect in the strain gradient effect. It was concluded that the strain gradient effect might be an important factor in controlling the deformation and fracture behavior of these composites.

A Strain Gradient-Strengthening Law for Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites. L.H.Dai, Z.Ling, Y.L.Bai: Scripta Materialia, 1999, 41[3], 245-51