Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-2h6rp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-07T03:22:25.542Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Effect of Weak Interface on Transverse Properties of a Ceramic Matrix Composite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

R. A. Shimansky
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, University Park, PA 16802
H. T. Hahn
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, University Park, PA 16802
N. J. Salamon
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, University Park, PA 16802
Get access

Abstract

Experimental studies conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center on silicon carbide reaction-bonded silicon nitride composite system (SiC/RBSN) led to a significant observation regarding their unidirectional tensile properties. It was found that transverse stiffness and strength were much lower than those predicted from existing analytical models based on good interfacial bonding. Since the composite system was designed to have weakened interfaces to improve toughness, it was believed that these weakened interfaces were responsible for the decrease in transverse properties.

To support this claim, a two dimensional finite element analysis was performed for a transverse representative volume element. Specifically, the effect of fiber/matrix displacement compatibility at the interface was studied under both tensile and compressive transverse loadings. Interface debonding was represented active gap elements connecting the fiber and matrix.

The analyses show that the transverse tensile strength and stiffness are best predicted when a debonded interface is assumed for the composite. In fact, the measured properties can be predicted by simply replacing the fibers by voids. Thus, the following two conclusions are drawn from the present study: (1) little or no interfacial bonding exists in the SiC/RBSN composite; (2) an elastic analysis can predict the transverse stiffness and strength.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Sambell, R.A,J, Briggs, A., Phillips, D.C. and Bowen, D.H., “Carbon Fiber Composites with Ceramic and Glass Matrices, Part 2- Continuous Fibers,” J. Mater. Sci., 7 [6] 676681 (1972).Google Scholar
2. Phillips, D.C., “Interfacial Bonding and the Toughness of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Glass and Glass Ceramics” J. Mater. Sci., 9 [11] 1847–54 (1974).Google Scholar
3. Phillips, D.C., “The Fracture Energy of Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Glass” J. Mater. Sci., 7 [10] 1175–91 (1972).Google Scholar
4. Prewo, K.M. and Brennan, J.J., “High Strength Silicon Carbide Fiber Reinforced Glass Matrix Composites,” J. Mater. Sci., 15 [2] 463468 (1980).Google Scholar
5. Prewo, K.M. and Brennan, J.J., “Silicon Carbide Yarn Reinforced Glass Matrix Composites,” J. Mater. Sci., 17 [4] 1201–06 (1982).Google Scholar
6. Brennan, J.J. and Prewo, K.M., “Silicon Carbide Fiber Reinforced Glass-Ceramic Matrix Composites Exhibiting High Strength and Toughness,” J. Mater. Sci., 17 [8] 2371–83 (1982).Google Scholar
7. Singh, R.N. and Brun, M.K., “Effect of Boron Nitride Coating on Fiber-Matrix Interaction,” Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc., 8 [7–8] 636643 (1987).Google Scholar
8. Singh, R.N.and Gaddipati, A.R., “Mechanical Properties of a Uniaxially Reinforced Mullite-Silicon Carbide Composite,” J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 71 [2] C100 (1988).Google Scholar
9. Bender, B., Shadwell, D. Bulik, C., Incorvati, L. and Lewis, D., “Effect of Fiber Coatings and Composite Processing on Properties of Zirconia-Based Matrix SiC Fiber Composites,” Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull., 65 [2] 363369 (1986).Google Scholar
10. Hashin, Z. and Rosen, B.W., “The Elastic Moduli of Fiber Reinforced Materials,” J. Appl. Mech., 31, 223 (1964).Google Scholar
11. Tsai, S. W. and Hahn, H.T., “Introduction to Composite Materials,” Technomic Publishing Co., Lancaster, Pa, 1980.Google Scholar
12. Christensen, R.M., “Mechanics of Composite Materials,” John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1979.Google Scholar
13. Halpin, J.C. and Tsai, S.W., “Effects of Environmental Factors on Composite Materials,” AFML-TR 67–423, June 1969.Google Scholar
14. Bhatt, R.T., “Properties of Silicon Carbide Fiber Reinforced Silicon Nitride Matrix Composites,” NASA Technical Memorandum 101356, June 1988.Google Scholar
15. AVCO SCS-6 Fiber data sheet, Textron Corporation, Waltham, MA, 1986.Google Scholar
16. DiCarlo, J.A., “Fibers for Structurally Reliable Matal and Ceramic Matrix Composites,” Journal of Metals, 37 [7] 4449, (1985).Google Scholar
17. Bhatt, R.T. and Phillips, R.E., “Laminate Behavior for SiC Fiber-Reinforced Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride Matrix Composites,” NASA Technical Memorandum 101350, October 1988.Google Scholar
18. Bhatt, R.T. and Phillips, R.E., “Thermal Effects on the Mechanical Properties of SiC Fiber Reinforced Reaction Bonded Silicon Nitride Matrix (SiC/RBSN) Composites,” NASA Technical Memorandum 101348, October 1988.Google Scholar
19. Shimansky, R. A., “Effect of Interfaces on Continuous Fiber Reinforced Brittle Matrix Composites,” Ph.D. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, December, 1989.Google Scholar
20. Whitney, J.M., Daniel, I.M. and Pipes, R.B., “Experimental Mechanics of Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials,” SEM Monographs No.4, Prentice-Hall, NJ, 1982.Google Scholar