Effect of Cyclic Fatigue Loading on Matrix Multiple Fracture of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites

In this paper, the effect of cyclic fatigue loading on matrix multiple fracture of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) is investigated using the critical matrix strain energy (CMSE) criterion. The relationships between multiple matrix cracking, cyclic fatigue peak stress, fiber/matrix interface wear, and debonding are established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, fiber/matrix interface shear stress, and applied cycle number on matrix multiple fracture and fiber/matrix interface debonding and interface wear are discussed. Comparisons of multiple matrix cracking with/without cyclic fatigue loading are analyzed. The experimental matrix cracking of unidirectional SiC/CAS, SiC/SiC, SiC/Borosilicate, and mini-SiC/SiC composites with/without cyclic fatigue loading are predicted.