Effects of Nonuniform Fiber Geometries on the Microstructural Fracture Behavior of Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

Microstructural fracture behavior of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) with nonuniformly distributed fibers is studied in the presentation. A comprehensive numerical analysis package to study the effect of nonuniform fiber dimensions and locations on the microstructural fracture behavior is developed. The package starts with an optimization algorithm for generating representative volume element (RVE) models that are statistically equivalent to experimental measurements. Experimentally measured statistical data are used as constraints while the optimization algorithm is running. Virtual springs are utilized between any adjacent fibers to nonuniformly distribute the coated fibers in the RVE model. The virtual spring with the optimization algorithm can efficiently generate multiple RVEs that are statistically identical to each other. Smeared crack approach (SCA) is implemented to consider the fracture behavior of the CMC material in a mesh-objective manner. The RVEs are subjected to tension as well as the shear loading conditions. SCA is capable of predicting different fracture patterns, uniquely defined by not only the fiber arrangement but also the specific loading type. In addition, global stress-strain curves show that the microstructural fracture behavior of the RVEs is highly dependent on the fiber distributions.

Effect of the distribution of lip-shaped matrix cracks in continuous fibre reinforced ceramic matrix composites on failure progress under transverse tension

“…They revealed that the periodic model would be used to predict effective performance, but the random model must be considered for local damage processes such as interface debonding or macroscopic matrix cracks. Random distribution and aggregation of fibres caused obvious stress concentration, which affected the predicted results of the transverse tensile properties of fibre-reinforced composites [7,8]. Fully characterising the actual microstructure of fibre-reinforced composite materials benefited the failure behavior simulation more accurately (Carl R et al [9], Romanov V et al [10]).…”