The tensile behavior of a silicon carbide fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a study on the effects of composite microstmcture and test temperature on tensile deformation and fracture behavior of a symmetric [0/9012s titanium alloy metal-matrix composite. Matrix microstructure is controlled by heat treatment, which is used to produce metastable/3 or Widmanstatten a+/3 microstructures. The sequence of damage initiation and evolution at both room and elevated temperature (650~ is identified using ex-situ scanning electron microscopy observations during incremental monotonic loading to failure. The nature, sequence and complexity of damage during uniaxial loading is presented and discussed in light of competing and mutually interactive influences of load level and deformation characteristics of the microstructure.