Thermal-Mechanical Fatigue Test Apparatus for Metal Matrix Composites and Joint Attachments

Abstract

Two thermal-mechanical fatigue (TMF) test facilities were designed and developed, one to test tungsten fiber reinforced metal matrix composite specimens at temperatures up to 1700 K (2600°F) and another to test composite/metal attachment bond joints at temperatures up to 1030 K (1400°F). The TMF facility designed for testing tungsten fiber reinforced metal matrix composites permits test specimen temperature excursions from room temperature to 1700 K (2600°F) with controlled heating and loading rates. A strain-measuring device measures the strain in the test section of the specimen during each heating and cooling cycle with superimposed loads. Data are collected and recorded by a computer. The second facility was designed to test composite/metal attachment bond joints and to permit heating to a maximum temperature of 1030 K (1400°F) within 600 s and cooling to 420 K (300°F) within 180 s. A computer controls specimen temperature and load cycling.