A theoretical study of fatigue behaviour in unidirectional Ti-based metal matrix composites

The Fatigue Damage Map (FDM) has been used to define the different damage mechanisms operating during fatigue loading of fibre reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). Matrix cracking, fibre failure, fibre bridging and interfacial debonding have been suggested as being the dominant factors in fatigue crack growth of MMCs. The FDM has been used to provide information regarding the contribution of these mechanisms to fatigue failure and their dependency on load history. The application of FDM is shown not only to define design limits but also to provide vital information for maintenance engineering. Fatigue, MMCs, fatigue damage map, crack safe conditions, fail safe conditions, crack arrest, crack instability, maximum bridging, micromechanical modelling.