Model for consolidation of Ti-6AI-4V/SiC fibre composite from plasma sprayed monotape

Abstract

A model has been developed for the consolidation of low pressure plasma sprayed (LPPS) titanium alloy matrix/silicon carbide fibre composites. Empirical constitutive equations were combined with an analytical model to describe the deformation of the rough surface region. The same constitutive equations were combined with alternately analytical and empirical yield criteria to describe the deformation of the regions of closed porosity surrounding the fibres. The two submodels were then combined with finite element analysis to make predictions of relative density and grain size as functions of pressure, temperature, and time, as well as predictions of the variations in porosity with position and fibre spacing. Experiments to validate the model were carried out using Archimedes' principle and both optical and scanning electron metallography. Data were found to agree reasonably well with predicted values.