THERMOMECHANICAL FATIGUE OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

In this paper, the thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) is investigated using the hysteresis-based damage parameter. The micro stress field of the damaged CMCs of matrix cracking and fiber/matrix interface debonding is obtained considering the temperature-dependent fiber/matrix interface shear stress. The fiber/matrix interface debonded length and unloading/reloading slip length are determined using the fracture mechanics approach. Based on the damage mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to the matrix in the interface debonded region, the TMF hysteresis loops models and hysteresis-based damage parameters are developed for the partially and completely debonding to analyze the damage evolution inside of fiber-reinforced CMCs. The effects of temperature, phase angle and loading sequences on the damage development of SiC/SiC composite are discussed. When TMF temperature range increases, the fatigue hysteresis loops area, residual strain increase, and the hysteresis modulus decreases, due to the increase of the fiber/matrix interface slip length. Under TMF loading, the phase angle affects the interface debonding and sliding range, and the hysteresis loops shape, location and area of the fiber-reinforced CMCs. The experimental TMF damage evolution of 2D SiC/SiC and cross-ply SiC/MAS composites are predicted.