ISSN:
1551-2916
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
The present article focuses on changes in the mechanical properties of an all-oxide fiber-reinforced composite following long-term exposure (1000 h) at temperatures of 1000–1200°C in air. The composite of interest derives its damage tolerance from a highly porous matrix, precluding the need for an interphase at the fiber–matrix boundary. The key issue involves the stability of the porosity against densification and the associated implications for long-term durability of the composite at elevated temperatures. For this purpose, comparisons are made in the tensile properties and fracture characteristics of a 2D woven fiber composite both along the fiber direction and at 45° to the fiber axes before and after the aging treatments. Additionally, changes in the state of the matrix are probed through measurements of matrix hardness by Vickers indentation and through the determination of the matrix Young's modulus, using the measured composite moduli coupled with classical laminate theory. The study reveals that, despite evidence of some strengthening of the matrix and the fiber–matrix interfaces during aging, the key tensile properties in the 0°/90° orientation, including strength and failure strain, are unchanged. This strengthening is manifested to a more significant extent in the composite properties in the ±45° orientation, wherein the modulus and the tensile strength each exhibit a twofold increase after the 1200°C aging treatment. It also results in a change in the failure mechanism, from one involving predominantly matrix damage and interply delamination to one which is dominated by fiber fracture. Additionally, salient changes in the mechanical response beyond the maximum load suggest the existence of an optimum matrix strength at which the fracture energy in the ±45° orientation attains a maximum. The implications for long-term durability of this class of composite are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.2002.tb00138.x
Permalink
