Crack deflection by the transformable particles dispersed in composites

The crack deflection in transformable particle-reinforced composites is studied in the present paper.The contribution of phase transformation on the crack tip J_k-integral (k = 1, 2) is explicitly determined bythe material configurational theory. For the crack deflection angle from its original crack path induced by thephase transformation it can be shown that the crack initiates in the direction along which the potential energyrelease rate in terms of the crack tip J_k-integral possesses a stationary (maximum) value. The influence of oneindividual particle near the crack tip on the crack deflection is studied by accounting for both dilatant and sheartransformation components. Furthermore, an FEM method is developed to model the stress-induced phasetransformation on the basis of a macroscopic phenomenological constitutive model where multiple particlesare taken to be non-uniformly distributed in a matrix.Numerical simulations are performed to observe the crackdeflection by a cluster of particles. The results show a significant non-symmetric stress distribution locally atthe crack tip, causing the crack to deflect. It is found that regions in the material with a higher volume fractionof transformable particles tend to deflect the crack growth more.     

Crack propagation in ceramic composites with layered granular structure

Fracture experiments under conditions of subcritical crack extension were performed with double torsion and single-edge notched bend specimens of different alumina-based ceramic composites having layered granular structure. It is shown that it is possible to increase significantly the work-of-fracture as a result of layered granular structure organization. The pecularities of structure influence on the crack propagation kinetics were investigated, and the possibilities of acceleration and deceleration of subcritical crack growth are reported.     

Tensile failure in fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites

The newly derived relationship between the closure traction and the crack opening displacement by the modified shear-lag model is used to investigate the tensile failure behaviors of unidirectional fiber reinforced ceramics. The critical stress for matrix cracking and the critical stress to fracture the fiber are calculated for various crack configurations. Then, the failure of composite initiates as the applied stress exceeds the smaller of the matrix cracking stress and the fiber fracture stress. The differences of results between the present analysis and Marshall and Cox are discussed. Finally, the possible tensile failure modes and the transition conditions between different failure modes are summarized in this paper.     

Conditions for matrix crack deflection at an interface in ceramic matrix composites

This paper describes a numerical approach developed to simulate the mechanism of matrix crack deflection at the fibre/matrix interface in brittle matrix composites. For this purpose, the fracture behaviour of a unit cell (microcomposite) consisting of a single fibre surrounded by a cylindrical tube of matrix was studied with the help of a finite element model. A fracture mechanics approach was used to design a criterion for deflection at the fibre/matrix interface of an annular crack present in the matrix. The analysis of the fracture behaviour of SiC/SiC and SiC/glass ceramics microcomposites shows that the introduction of a low modulus and low toughness interfacial layer at the fibre/matrix interface (e.g. a carbon coating) greatly favours matrix crack deflection at the interphase/fibre interface.     

SiC-BN层状陶瓷复合材料叠层方式优化设计

层状陶瓷复合材料可有效提高纯陶瓷材料的韧性,受到研究者的广泛关注。在材料设计阶段,通过优化叠层方式可显著提高层状陶瓷的力学性能。然而,在现有研究中缺乏叠层方式的优化设计方法。本研究采用基于复合梁模型的遗传算法得到了最优层厚比;针对SiC-BN层状陶瓷复合材料5∶ 1、10∶ 1和梯度体三种铺层形式采用流延成型结合无压烧结法进行材料制备,并进行了完好试件和含缺口试件的三点弯曲试验;基于宏观损伤分析对其增韧机制进行了分析。试验结果表明:通过解析方法计算得到的最优梯度体层状陶瓷的弯曲强度达到434.5 MPa。其力学性能相比于固定层厚比铺层方式有较大提高,同时还保持了较高的缺陷不敏感特性。进一步分析表明:受拉部分分布的较多软层和受压部分分布的较厚硬层是梯度体结构较好性能的重要原因。      

Crack growth resistance of hybrid fiber reinforced cement composites

Crack propagation in cement-based matrices carrying hybrid fiber reinforcement was studied using contoured double cantilever beam (CDCB) specimens. Influence of fiber type and combination was quantified using crack growth resistance curves. It was demonstrated that a hybrid combination of steel and polypropylene fibers enhances the resistance to both nucleation and growth of cracks, and that such fundamental fracture tests are very useful in developing high performance hybrid fiber composites. The influence of number of variables which would otherwise have remained obscured in normal tests for engineering properties become apparent in the fracture tests. The paper emphasizes the desired durability characteristics of these composites and discusses their current and future applications.     

The topology of percolating porosity in woven fiber ceramic matrix composites

Three-dimensional x-ray microtomography has been used to visualize porosity in ceramic matrix composites during chemical vapor infiltration processing. The topology of percolating pores was determined in both 0°/90° and 0°/45° architectures. At densities greater than 75%, consolidation can be described with percolation theory.     

陶瓷纤维增强氧化硅气凝胶复合材料力学性能试验

氧化硅气凝胶具有极低的热导率和密度,可作为很好的隔热材料,而脆弱的力学性能限制了其在隔热领域的应用。在不影响隔热效果的前提下,通过复合陶瓷纤维可增加氧化硅气凝胶的强度及韧性。试验探索了陶瓷纤维增强氧化硅气凝胶在室温下的拉伸、压缩和剪切等基本力学性能,分别研究了300℃、600℃和900℃下复合材料纤维铺层面方向的压缩性能,并采用扫描电子显微镜对高温试样微观结构进行了观察分析。结果表明：陶瓷纤维增强氧化硅气凝胶的性能表现出方向性,弹性模量在铺层面内方向与厚度方向的数值最大相差约28倍,强度极限亦然;在室温条件下,复合材料的拉伸和压缩弹性模量不同,X 、Y 和 Z 方向拉伸模量与对应的压缩模量之比分别为1.60、1.83和0.56;高温下复合材料沿厚度方向收缩,收缩量随温度升高而增大,900℃下的最大收缩量可达10.8%;高温下复合材料铺层面内方向压缩性能随温度升高而增强。     

单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸行为

采用细观力学方法对单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料的单轴拉伸应力-应变行为进行了研究。采用Budiansky-Hutchinson-Evans（BHE）剪滞模型分析了复合材料出现损伤时的细观应力场,结合临界基体应变能准则、应变能释放率准则以及Curtin统计模型三种单一失效模型分别描述陶瓷基复合材料基体开裂、界面脱粘以及纤维失效三种损伤机制,确定了基体裂纹间隔、界面脱粘长度和纤维失效体积分数。将剪滞模型与3种单一失效模型相结合,对各个损伤阶段的应力-应变曲线进行模拟,建立了准确的复合材料强韧性预测模型,并讨论了界面参数和纤维韦布尔模量对复合材料损伤以及应力-应变曲线的影响。与室温下陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸试验数据进行了对比,各个损伤阶段的应力-应变、失效强度及应变与试验数据吻合较好。     

Computational modeling of damage evolution in unidirectional fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites

A finite element model for investigating damage evolution in brittle matrix composites was developed. This modeling is based on an axisymmetric unit cell composed of a fiber and its surrounding matrix. The unit cell was discretized into linearly elastic elements for the fiber and the matrix and cohesive elements which allow cracking in the matrix, fiber-matrix interface, and fiber. The cohesive elements failed according to critical stress and critical energy release rate criteria (in shear and/or in tension). The tension and shear aspects of failure were uncoupled. In order to obtain converged solutions for the axisymmetric composite unit cell problem, inertia and viscous damping were added to the formulation, and the resulting dynamic problem was solved implicitly using the Newmark Method. Parametric studies of the interface toughness and strength and the matrix toughness were performed. Details of the propagation of matrix cracks and the initiation of debonds were also observed.     

Crack deflection in a biaxial stress state

Cotterell and Rice theory (Int J Fract 16(2):155–169, 1980) on the kinking of a crack submitted to a biaxial loading in a homogeneous material is revisited. Using both an energetic and a stress fracture criteria (Leguillon, Eur J Mech A/Solids 21:61–72, 2002) allows defining a positive threshold of the T-stress T _c below which no branching can occur (Selvarathinam and Goree, Eng Fract Mech 60(5–6):543–561, 1998) provided the inhomogeneities size is small compared to the Irwin length. The absence of such a threshold would definitely condemn experimental procedures like the double-cantilever beam (DCB) or compact tension (CT) tests, which result in a positive T-stress at the crack tip. The stress intensity factors K _I and T are computed using a contour integral. Calculations provide a very good agreement with the analytical results of the infinite Centrally Notched (CN) plate in tension for instance. An asymptotic analysis makes it possible to define the branching angle as a discontinuous function of T with a jump from 0° to some significant positive value as T reaches T _c . Furthermore, for non vanishing K _II , a similar analysis is carried out, a positive T-stress increases the kinking angle due to K _II alone.     

The influence of the interphase and associated interfaces on the deflection of matrix cracks in ceramic matrix composites

A model is proposed to determine the influence of an interphase on the deflection of a matrix crack in ceramic matrix composites. Then, a finite element analysis is performed for a microcomposite geometry with an annular crack which initiates in the matrix and propagates in the interphase. It is applied to a SiC/C/SiC microcomposite with a pyrocarbon interphase. Criteria for penetration and deflection of the matrix crack are expressed in terms of toughness of the interphase and of the various interfaces (matrix/interphase and interphase/fibre interfaces). The predictions are found to agree with crack deflections observed in practical SiC/SiC composites and with the available interphase toughness data. Results also suggest that the real crack deflection mechanism involves debonding ahead of the propagating matrix crack.     

Uncoupled and coupled approaches to predict macrocrack initiation in fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Localized fiber pull-out is one of the fracture features of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. The onset of this mechanism is predicted by using Continuum Damage Mechanics, and corresponds to a localization of the deformations. After deriving two damage models from a uni-axial bundle approach, and criteria at localization, different axisymmetric configurations are analyzed through two different approaches to predict macrocrack initiation.     

Development of test standards for continuous fiber ceramic composites in the United States

Standardization activities in the United States for continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic composites (CFCCs) are reviewed. This brief review focuses on the development of test standards by subcommittee C28.07 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) on the drafting of a section of a design code for ceramic and ceramic matrix composite components as part of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and on the development of a set of volumes on ceramic matrix composites for Military Handbook 17 on composites. The participation of the US in the international harmonization of standards for CFCCs is also reviewed.     

Carbon fiber/ceramic matrix composites: processing,oxidation and mechanical properties

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) have been considered in the last two decades to be alternative materials for highly demanding thermo-structural applications. Pre-ceramic polymers offer significant advantages for manufacturing these composites by the polymer impregnation method. In the present work, carbon fiber/silicon oxycarbide (C/SiC _x O _y ) composites were obtained by controlled pyrolysis of carbon fiber/bridge polysilsesquioxane composites (COMPOSITE 1) followed by infiltration/pyrolysis cycles with a polycyclic silicone network. The polysilsesquioxane showed high wettability and adhesion on the carbon fiber surface. An improvement of the thermo-oxidation resistance and a reduction of the porosity as a function of the number of polycyclic silicone infiltration cycles were observed. An extra improvement in the thermo-oxidation protection was found when the C/SiC _x O _y composite was coated with a poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) layer (COMPOSITE 2). Shear properties for the composites showed a dependence on the nature of the matrix. The average in-plane shear strength and the shear modulus were 44.2 ± 1.9 MPa and 2.2 ± 0.5 GPa for the polymeric matrix composite (COMPOSITE 1), respectively. For the ceramic matrix composite (COMPOSITE 2) the values were 14.2 ± 4.1 MPa and 15.0 ± 2.0 GPa, respectively. The properties of the latter composite were also governed by the microstructure of the ceramic matrix.     

Crack deflection by core junctions in sandwich structures

The paper treats the problem of crack propagation in sandwich panels with interior core junctions. When a face-core interface crack approaches a tri-material wedge, as it may happen at a sandwich core junction, two options exist for further crack advance; one is for the interface crack to penetrate the wedge along the face-core interface, and the second is deflection along the core junction interface. Crack deflection is highly relevant and a requirement for the functionality of a newly developed peel stopper for sandwich structures. The physical model presented in this paper enables the quantitative prediction of the ratio of the toughnesses of the two wedge interfaces required to control the crack propagation, and the derived results can be applied directly in future designs of sandwich structures. The solution strategy is based on finite element analysis (FEA), and a realistic engineering practice example of a tri-material composition (face and core materials) is presented.