Thermographic Damage Detection of Ceramic Matrix Composites During Tension Testing

Abstract

The fracture behavior of Nicalon fiber reinforced calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) glass-ceramic matrix composites (Nicalon/CAS) was investigated with the aid of a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique. Infrared (IR) thermography was employed for unidirectional Nicalon/CAS composite specimens. During tensile testing, an IR camera was used for in-situ monitoring of progressive damages of Nicalon/CAS samples. The IR camera provided the temperature changes during tensile testing. Microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to investigate the fracture mechanisms of Nicalon/CAS composites. In this investigation, the thermographic NDE technique was used to facilitate a better understanding of the fracture mechanisms of the Nicalon/CAS composites during tensile testing.

The Use of Infrared Thermography in the Analysis of Engineered Cementitious Composites

“…Infrared thermography was employed for unidirectional Nicalon fibre reinforced calcium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix composites specimens and the results promoted a better understanding of the fracture mechanisms of the composites during tensile testing [16].The flash and step heating thermography methods were used to detect defects in thick commercial carbon/carbon composites. Results show that drilled side hole defects with a minimum size of 1.6 mm and maximum depth of 4mm in a composite sample can be reasonably detected with the thermography method [17].…”