During hot rolling of aluminium alloys break-up of intermetallic (Mg2Si, FeAl) particles is observed. To
control the final microstructure of the rolled aluminium sheet, the size and spatial distribution of such intermetallic
particles has be controlled. Present paper is concerned with the stress concentrations in complex dendrite shaped
elastic inclusions embedded in an elastic viscoplastic matrix. Finite element calculations on a unit cell containing a
single inclusions with 1, 2 or 3 secondary dendrites explain how the load is transmitted from the matrix to the elastic
particle. 3D and plane strain 2D finite element results are compared in order to show the most efficient method of
determining particle break-up during hot rolling