Real-time damage evaluation of a SiC coated carbon/carbon composite under cyclic fatigue at high temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere

A SiC coated C/C composite was fatigued at 1300 °C in an oxidizing atmosphere. Damage evolution of the composite was discussed on the basis of modulus reduction and ratchetting strain developments. Real-time electrical resistance and acoustic emission responses were monitored throughout fatigue and the data showed fairly good agreement with composite micro-damage. It is feasible to employ resistance and acoustic emission measurements as real-time damage evolution indicators for fatigue of C/C composites at high temperature in corrosive environments.     

单向碳/碳复合材料拉-拉疲劳寿命及剩余强度预测模型

基于预测单向复合材料纵向拉伸强度的随机核模型,引入纤维单丝剩余强度二参数Weibull模型及纤维单丝与基体界面剩余强度模型,研究建立了单向复合材料纵向拉-拉疲劳寿命及剩余强度的预测模型。对经过一定次数拉-拉疲劳载荷循环后的纤维束抽取其纤维单丝进行剩余强度拉伸试验,建立了纤维单丝剩余强度的二参数Weibull模型,测试单向碳/碳（C/C）复合材料的纤维与基体界面强度。通过单向C/C复合材料算例分析表明,92.5%、90.6%和87.5%应力水平下对数预测寿命与对数试验寿命比值分别为0.79、1.00和1.11,表明所建立的寿命预测模型用于预测单向C/C复合材料疲劳寿命是可行的;纵向拉伸剩余强度预测值与试验值误差在10%以内,吻合较好,表明所提出的剩余强度预测模型具有较高的精度。     

Fatigue Life Prediction of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites at Room and Elevated Temperatures. Part I: Experimental Analysis

This paper presents an experimental analysis on the fatigue behavior in C/SiC ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) with different fiber preforms, i.e., unidirectional, cross-ply and 2.5D woven, at room and elevated temperatures in air atmosphere. The experimental fatigue life S???N curves of C/SiC composites corresponding to different stress levels and test conditions have been obtained. The damage evolution processes under fatigue loading have been analyzed using fatigue hysteresis modulus and fatigue hysteresis loss energy. By comparing the experimental fatigue hysteresis loss energy with theoretical computational values, the interface shear stress corresponding to different peak stress, fiber preforms and test conditions have been estimated. It was found that the degradation of interface shear stress and fibres strength caused by oxidation markedly decreases the fatigue life of C/SiC composites at elevated temperature.     

An investigation of the damage mechanisms and fatigue life diagrams of flax fiber-reinforced polymer laminates

In this paper we investigated the fatigue damage of a unidirectional flax-reinforced epoxy composite using infrared (IR) thermography. Two configurations of flax/epoxy composites layup were studied namely, [0]₁₆ unidirectional ply orientation and [±45]₁₆. The high cycle fatigue strength was determined using a thermographic criterion developed in a previous study. The fatigue limit obtained by the thermographic criterion was confirmed by the results obtained through conventional experimental methods (i.e., Stress level versus Number of cycles to failure). Furthermore, a model for predicting the fatigue life using the IR thermography was evaluated. The model was found to have a good predictive value for the fatigue life. In order to investigate the mechanism of damage initiation in flax/epoxy composites and the damage evolution, during each fatigue test we monitored the crack propagation for a stress level and at different damage stages, a direct correlation between the percentage of cracks and the mean strain was observed.     

碳纤维三维角联锁机织复合材料弯曲作用下力阻响应

电阻法在碳纤维复合材料结构健康监测(SHM)中具有巨大应用前景。本文研究了碳纤维三维角联锁机织复合材料经向和纬向试件在弯曲作用下力-电阻响应,探究电阻变化与复合材料结构损伤的相关性。试验结果表明：经向和纬向试件在弯曲作用下电阻变化与试件主要承载纱线损伤情况具有相关性。准静态三点弯曲加载下,试件电阻变化可以反映试件承载能力变化：在最大载荷点之前,试件电阻基本不变;主要承载纱线发生断裂损伤时,电阻增加。弯曲疲劳加载下,试件电阻变化可以反映试件承载能力退化情况：在弯曲疲劳加载前期,三维角联锁机织复合材料呈现负压阻效应;随着循环次数增加,基体裂纹、界面脱粘等不可逆损伤不断累积,电阻缓慢增大;在弯曲疲劳加载后期,主要承载纱线断裂,电阻显著增加;试件最终疲劳失效时,电阻急剧增加。     

Damage Monitoring of Unidirectional C/SiC Ceramic-Matrix Composite under Cyclic Fatigue Loading using A Hysteresis Loss Energy-Based Damage Parameter at Room and Elevated Temperatures

The damage evolution of unidirectional C/SiC ceramic-matrix composite (CMC) under cyclic fatigue loading has been investigated using a hysteresis loss energy-based damage parameter at room and elevated temperatures. The experimental fatigue hysteresis modulus and fatigue hysteresis loss energy versus cycle number have been analyzed. By comparing the experimental fatigue hysteresis loss energy with theoretical computational values, the interface shear stress corresponding to different cycle number and peak stress has been estimated. The experimental evolution of fatigue hysteresis loss energy and fatigue hysteresis loss energy-based damage parameter versus cycle number has been predicted for unidirectional C/SiC composite at room and elevated temperatures. The predicted results of interface shear stress degradation, stress–strain hysteresis loops corresponding to different number of applied cycles, fatigue hysteresis loss energy and fatigue hysteresis loss energy-based damage parameter as a functions of cycle number agreed with experimental data. It was found that the fatigue hysteresis energy-based parameter can be used to monitor the fatigue damage evolution and predict the fatigue life of fiber-reinforced CMCs.     

Damage evolution and real-time non-destructive evaluation of 2D carbon-fiber/SiC-matrix composites under fatigue loading

Electrical resistance acquisition, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and infrared thermography were employed to evaluate damage evolution of 2D carbon-fiber/SiC-matrix composite under fatigue loading. Damage evolution was discussed on the basis of the calculation results of the modulus and mechanical hysteresis variation. At lower stress levels, the majority of damage was produced in the first few cycles and then the rate of damage accumulation gradually approached a steady value as the cycles proceeded. When the applied stress exceeded the endurance fatigue limit, extensive damage took place and led to failure of the composite. Changes of composite electrical resistance, AE activity and surface temperature had fairly well agreement with the modulus and hysteresis responses. It can be concluded that it is possible to employ these real-time non-destructive evaluation methods as in-situ damage evolution indicators for this kind of composites under fatigue loading.     

碳/碳复合材料疲劳损伤失效试验研究

对单向碳/碳复合材料纵向拉-拉疲劳特性及面内剪切拉-拉疲劳特性进行了试验研究; 对三维四向编织碳/碳复合材料的纵向拉-拉疲劳特性及纤维束-基体界面剩余强度进行了试验研究。使用最小二乘法拟合得到了单向碳/碳复合材料纵向及面内剪切拉-拉疲劳加载下的剩余刚度退化模型及剩余强度退化模型, 建立了纤维束-基体界面剩余强度模型。结果显示: 单向碳/碳复合材料在87.5%应力水平的疲劳载荷下刚度退化最大只有8.8%左右, 在70.0%应力水平的疲劳载荷下, 面内剪切刚度退化最大可达30%左右; 三维四向编织碳/碳复合材料疲劳加载后强度及刚度均得到了提高; 随着疲劳循环加载数的增加, 三维四向编织碳/碳复合材料中纤维束-基体界面强度逐渐减弱。      

Fatigue and post-fatigue behaviour of carbon/epoxy non-crimp fabric composites

This paper focuses on the static, fatigue and post-fatigue tensile properties of a biaxial carbon/epoxy non-crimp fabric composite. In a series of quasi-static tensile tests, the stress–strain level where damage initiates was determined. This stress level was then used as the maximum stress level in tensile–tensile fatigue tests in the fibre direction. It was found that in fibre direction, this load level can be considered safe for fatigue up to very high cycle numbers. The damage evolution during the tests was monitored at certain cycle times with X-ray radiography. The post-fatigue residual static tensile properties were determined after different numbers of cycles. A series of tensile–tensile fatigue tests at various higher stress levels allowed for the fatigue life curves to be constructed in each of the four testing directions. This revealed that the damage initiation load level is well below the practical fatigue limit of the material.     

Modeling of mechanical damage detection in CFRPs via electrical resistance

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) are inherently multifunctional materials that, in addition to their primary function as a structural material, allow for the sensing and monitoring of in situ damage nucleation and evolution by the measurement of the material electrical resistance. Here an analytic model is developed for the transverse (perpendicular to the fibers) electrical resistance of pristine and damaged unidirectional composites, complementing earlier work on the longitudinal resistance. The ratio of transverse to longitudinal resistance for undamaged materials provides a direct measure of the internal density of fiber–fiber electrical contacts, a key material parameter in linking to the response of damaged materials. Under uniaxial loading with evolving fiber breakage, the normalized transverse resistance versus strain is predicted to have exactly the same form as that for the longitudinal resistance. Numerical studies show this agreement for uniform fiber–fiber contact distributions but, for random contact distributions, the longitudinal resistance is larger than predicted while the transverse resistance is smaller; these differences are shown to arise as a result of the statistically-preferential breaking of longer fiber segments. Analysis of multiple numerical simulations shows that variations in the electrical resistance are not directly correlated with variations in the stress–strain response. Thus, statistical methods are required to relate resistance to strain or damage. The Weibull modulus of the resistance change increases with increasing applied strain, with values exceeding 10 and 20 for the transverse and longitudinal resistance, respectively, demonstrating increasing reliability at higher damage levels and good correlation of average resistance change to applied strain. The present study shows that both longitudinal and transverse resistance changes are sensitive to damage in a predictable manner and can be used together to improve the reliability of damage assessment during loading of CFRPs.     

Coupled thermal–mechanical modeling of carbon fibers reinforced polymer composites for damage detection

An analytical solution is derived to describe the correlation between the thermal resistance change and fiber damage evolution in unidirectional composites under loading conditions. A key parameter, thermal characteristic length, is obtained, which represents the sensitivity of the thermal property change to mechanical damage. A coupled thermal–mechanical model is also developed to predict the failure stress, internal fiber breakage and thermal resistance change as a function of applied strain. The results show that the number of fiber breaks is proportional to thermal resistance change during loading while the thermal resistance change increases exponentially with increasing the applied strain. The analytical solution is in good agreement with the numerical results. Finite element models are developed to verify the coupled thermal–mechanical models. The present study shows that longitudinal thermal resistance change is sensitive to damage in a predictable manner and can be used together to improve the reliability of damage assessment during loading of carbon fiber reinforced polymer.     

On the fatigue life prediction of CFRP laminates using the Electrical Resistance Change method

The electro-mechanical response (Electrical Resistance Change method) as a damage index of quasi-isotropic Carbon Fiber Reinforced (CFRPs) laminates under fatigue loading was investigated. The effect of dispersed Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) into the epoxy matrix was additionally evaluated and compared with neat epoxy CFRPs. The longitudinal resistance change of the specimens was monitored throughout the fatigue experiment. Three different stress levels were tested. The frequency and the ratio (R) of the minimum applied load (stress) to the maximum applied load (stress) were kept constant for the different stress levels. The temperature of the specimen was also monitored throughout the process in order to deduce its effect on the electrical resistance of the specimen. The electrical behavior of the quasi-isotropic CFRP deviated from the commonly observed electrical response of unidirectional or cross-ply CFRPs due to the presence of the 45° layers. During initial stages of loading the resistance drops and afterwards it follows a positive slope up to final fracture. This repeatable pattern was observed for both the neat and the CNT-doped specimens, with the latter having smoother electrical recordings. The effect of temperature was calculated to be limited for the specific material and test/measurement configuration. The electro-mechanical response was correlated to stiffness degradation and acoustic emission findings enabling the identification of the specific regions during the fatigue life referring to specific mechanisms of damage accumulation. More specifically the experimental results revealed that the occurrence of the initial drop of the electrical resistance is linked with the occurrence of the Characteristic Damage State (CDS), associated with a specific percentage of stiffness reduction. This finding was used in order to predict the remaining life independently from the applied stress level with a high degree of confidence, assuming a constant stress level throughout the whole lifetime. The remaining life prediction for the CNT-doped specimens had higher coefficient of confidence (R²).     

Tensile fatigue behaviour of tightly woven carbon/carbon composites

The tensile fatigue behaviour of a tightly woven carbon/carbon composite was investigated as a function of stress level. Load-controlled fatigue tests were performed in tension-tension mode with a stress ratio, R, of 0.1 under ambient laboratory conditions. Results of composite behaviour are discussed in terms of the relationship of the stress/strain behaviour to the fatigue life of these composites as well as the effects of applied stress levels. It is shown that these composites exhibit good resistance to cyclic loading. No fatigue failures were obtained after 10⁶ cycles when the maximum tensile load in the fatigue cycle is less than or equal to 80% of the static tensile strength. Evidence of textural changes related to fatigue was observed in the matrix region of these composites.     

Tension–tension fatigue of hybrid composite rods

The tension–tension fatigue behavior was investigated for a hybrid composite rod comprised of a unidirectional carbon fiber core and a glass fiber shell. Fatigue tests were performed at three R-ratios and four maximum applied stress levels (MAS) while recording the secant modulus at each cycle, and acoustic emission (AE) sensors were employed to monitor the activation of fatigue mechanisms. Fatigue failure occurred when the composite rod was no longer able to support the applied cyclic load. For a MAS level of 70% of the ultimate tensile stress (UTS), composite rods tested at higher R-ratios showed AE activity through a larger percentage of fatigue life, but exhibited a greater resistance to fatigue failure, whereas samples cycled at lower R-ratios displayed AE activity only near the end of fatigue life, and showed a lower resistance to fatigue failure. The hybrid composite showed modes of progressive fatigue damage at high R-ratios and low strain amplitudes in the form of longitudinal splitting of the GF shell. In contrast, failure of the CF core was catastrophic and non-progressive. The fatigue resistance and damage mechanisms of the composite rod were dependent on the MAS level and R-ratio. Fatigue cracks initiated because of fretting between the GF shell and grip surface, which led to the observed longitudinal splitting of the GF shell. Fatigue damage occurred along the GF/CF interface where non-uniform strains developed because of the clamping force of the grip on the GF surface. At an R-ratio of 0.85, a fatigue stress of 70% UTS caused catastrophic fatigue failure, while at lower stresses, composite rods did not fail and withstood cyclic loads up to 1 million cycles. The research conducted is the first to investigate the degradation in fatigue performance arising from grip/composite rod interactions and suggests that the results from the study provide new information for composite materials in industries that utilize unidirectional composites in cylindrical form.     

复合材料层合板冲击后压-压疲劳寿命预测方法

针对冲击后复合材料层合板, 发展了含冲击初始损伤层合板的压-压疲劳寿命预测方法。该方法基于无损单向板的力学性能和疲劳特性, 对不同铺层参数、 不同几何尺寸以及不同冲击条件下层合板的疲劳寿命进行预测。为消除人为假设冲击损伤造成的误差, 对层合板在冲击载荷及冲击后疲劳载荷作用下的破坏进行全程分析, 即把冲击后层合板的实际损伤状态直接作为疲劳分析的初始状态。同时基于逐渐损伤思想, 推导了含冲击初始损伤层合板的应力分析过程, 建立了相应的三维逐渐累积损伤模型, 开发了参数化的复合材料层合结构冲击及冲击后疲劳破坏模拟程序, 为复合材料层合结构的抗冲击设计及其疲劳损伤扩展行为研究提供了较好的技术平台。      

Multiaxial fatigue life prediction of composite bolted joint under constant amplitude cycle loading

In this paper, a fatigue model of composite is established to predict multiaxial fatigue life of composite bolted joint under constant amplitude cycle loading. Firstly, finite element model is adopted to investigate stress state of composite bolted joint under constant amplitude cycle loading. Secondly, Tsai–Hill criterion is used to calculate equivalent stress of joint. At last, modified S–N fatigue life curve fitted by unidirectional laminate S–N curve which takes ply angle and stress ratio into consideration is adopted to determine fatigue life of composite. Calculation results of equivalent stress model show excellent agreement with experiments of composite bolted joint.     

Off-axis fatigue behaviour and its damage mechanics modelling for unidirectional fibre–metal hybrid composite: GLARE 2

The fatigue behaviour of a unidirectional fibre–metal laminate GLARE 2 has been studied under various off-axis loading conditions. Tension–tension fatigue tests were first performed at room temperature on nine kinds of plain coupon specimen with a different off-axis angle. A non-dimensional effective stress defined on the basis of the classical static failure theory was applied as an off-axis fatigue strength parameter. A macroscopic fatigue damage mechanics model was then developed using the non-dimensional effective stress, and it was compared with the classical fatigue failure models for composites. The absolute off-axis fatigue strength decreases as the off-axis angle increases. The longitudinal fatigue strength of GLARE 2 is about two times as high as that of the high-strength aluminium alloy, while the transverse fatigue strength is almost one-half. The S–N relationships are almost linear for all off-axis angles in the intermediate range of fatigue life 10³<N_f<10⁵, and they are followed by fatigue limits. The off-axis fatigue data plotted using the strength ratio (i.e. the maximum fatigue stress normalized by the static strength) are approximately represented by a single master S–N curve. The non-dimensional effective stress succeeds in describing this characteristic of the off-axis fatigue behaviour. The damage mechanics model developed using the non-dimensional effective stress can favourably reproduce the directional nature of the constant amplitude off-axis fatigue behaviour of GLARE 2. This model has an advantage over the classical fatigue failure models for composites with respect to the numerical procedure for fatigue life analysis.     

Modeling of electromechanical behavior of woven SiC/SiC composites

A coupled electro-mechanical model was developed to predict the mechanical behavior of woven SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites and electrical resistance response to mechanical damages in the composites. The matrix is explicitly included in the model such that the matrix cracking and fiber break can be linked to the electrical resistance change during loading. The results show that the electrical resistance increases linearly with an increase of matrix crack density and the number of fiber breaks. The predictions are compared to the experimental results on 2D woven SiC/SiC ceramic composites. With proper materials parameters input, the models can accurately predict the stress–strain curve and electrical resistance change during the loading. The model is further compared to an analytical solution of electromechanical coupling to get an insight into the electrical–mechanical interaction mechanisms in the composites.     

基于电阻变化的3D C/SiC复合材料疲劳损伤演化

为了研究三维碳纤维编织体增强碳化硅陶瓷基复合材料(3D C/SiC)在疲劳过程中的损伤演化并建立其电阻变化率(ΔR/R₀)随疲劳周次变化的模型, 对其进行了应力比为0.1、 频率为20 Hz、 最大疲劳应力为250、 255、 260 MPa的拉-拉疲劳试验, 通过电阻增量仪器测量了连续3D C/SiC在疲劳中的电阻变化率。实验结果表明, ΔR/R₀除首次循环降低外, 随着疲劳周次的增加呈缓慢增加、 台阶式增加和急剧增加3个阶段。根据损伤力学理论, 以ΔR/R₀为损伤参量, 得到了ΔR/R₀随疲劳周次变化的模型, 该模型结果与实验结果吻合较好。