EFFECT OF FIBER STRENGTH ON THE ROOM-TEMPERATURE TENSILE PROPERTIES OF SIC/TI-24AL-11NB

To increase understanding of what controls SCS-6 SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. pct) composite strength, fibers of known strength were incorporated into composites and the effect of fiber strength variability on room temperature composite strength was investigated. Fiber was also etched out of a composite fabricated by the powder cloth technique, and the effect of the fabrication process on fiber strength was assessed. The strength of the composite was directly correlated with the strength of the as-received fiber. Fabrication by the powder cloth technique resulted in only a slight degradation of fiber strength. Examination of failed tensile specimens revealed periodic fiber cracks, and the failure mode was concluded to be cumulative.