Date of Award
1998
Degree Name
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Department
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
This investigation successfully uses an integrated NDE/mechanical test system to characterize damage initiation and accumulation in [0]i6 Nicalon/MAS-5 and [0/90]3s SiC/BMAS ceramic matrix composite (CMC) systems at room and elevated (up to 900°C) temperatures. Extensive surface replication and photography are used to correlate changes in ultrasonic surface and longitudinal wave characteristics to damage mechanisms. The sudden decrease in the peak-to-peak amplitude of the surface wave signal coincides with the onset of matrix cracking at room and elevated temperatures. The amplitude of the surface wave signal decreases with increasing crack density. Matrix cracking first occurs in matrix rich regions where the fiber spacing is the widest. In both [0] i6 and [0/90]3s materials, testing at elevated temperatures delays the onset of matrix cracking. Testing at elevated temperatures results in an overall reduction in the number of matrix cracks for both [0] and [0/90] materials. The sensitivity of the surface wave to peak stress levels can be used to differentiate between the initiation and propagation of damage during interrupted testing. A portion of the surface wave response is attributed to the opening and closing of fiber bridged crack surfaces during loading and unloading. Measurements of the changes in surface wave amplitude as a function of crack density allow estimates of damage to be made through nondestructive means. The longitudinal wave demonstrates a sensitivity to changes in the overall stiffness, as opposed to the progression of matrix cracking. A shear lag model is used to deduce the changes in the interfacial sliding stress as a function of temperature for the [0] i6 and [0/90]3s material. The sliding stress decreases with increasing temperature for both materials. Predictions for the composite unloading modulus are not influenced by changes in the sliding stress. Predictions for the permanent strain indicate that the [0] i6 material possesses a very low debond energy.
Keywords
Ceramic-matrix composites, Continuum damage mechanics, Nondestructive testing
Rights Statement
Copyright © 1998, author
Recommended Citation
Gural, Roger J., "In situ nondestructive characterization of damage progression in ceramic matrix composites at room and elevated temperatures" (1998). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 3060.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/graduate_theses/3060
