Numerical Simulation of Microscale Metallic Particle Impact Using Eulerian Approach

A number of finite element (FE) models with Lagrangian formulation have been developed to simulate the high-speed particle impact. Although the Lagrangian formation-based FE models developed so far contributed significantly to unveiling the important questions on the mechanics of particle impact, they have a critical weakness. The Lagrangian models often diverge under large deformation due to mesh distortion. Recently, FE models based on Eulerian formation have been developed. This research describes a part of such efforts. A thin three-dimensional finite element model of high-speed impact of a micron-sized metallic particle was developed using Eulerian formulation. The meshes of a finite element model based on Eulerian formulation do not deform and therefore allow for dealing with a case with extreme plastic deformation. The two cases from the literature were reproduced to evaluate the validity of the developed model. After comparison, the model was used to simulate the impact of a stainless steel particle on a stainless steel substrate at an impact speed of 1000 m/s, which could not be readily simulated using the Lagrangian model.