Tarantino, M. G.Weber, L.Mortensen, A.2016-10-182016-10-182016-10-18201610.1016/j.actamat.2016.06.052https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/130205WOS:000383005300033Infiltrated particle reinforced composites combine a dense matrix with particles that are in mutual contact and can therefore transfer compressive stress directly from one particle to the next. As a result, these composites may combine characteristics of the plasticity of their matrix with those of granular matter plasticity. We measure here the influence of a 200 MPa superimposed fluid hydrostatic pressure on the flow stress of high volume fraction (56-62 vol pct) particulate Al2O3-Al composites produced by infiltration and show that the yield response of such composites is indeed pressure-sensitive. A simple analysis that transposes to metal matrix composites the theory of fluid-saturated granular media mechanics explains the phenomenon quantitatively. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Particle reinforced compositesYield behaviorPressure dependent plasticityYield criterionGranular materialtext::journal::journal article::research article