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Analysis of SiC/SiC composites for energy applications at ambient conditions
Author(s) -
Bumgardner Clifton H.,
Heim Frederick M.,
Roache David C.,
Jarama Alex,
Price Morgan C.,
Deck Christian P.,
Li Xiaodong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.17462
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , digital image correlation , scanning electron microscope , bending , planar , transverse plane , fracture (geology) , tension (geology) , structural engineering , compression (physics) , computer graphics (images) , computer science , engineering
Plain weave planar and biaxially braided tubular SiC/SiC CMCs are evaluated in tension and four‐point bending, respectively, at ambient conditions. Custom‐designed fixtures for CMC testing are developed for each loading mode and are coupled with three‐dimensional digital image correlation. Stereoscopic image correlation analysis reveals crack initiation and failure sites to provide insight into stress redistribution mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy is performed postmortem to determine the influence of microstructural features on crack initiation and failure. Crack spacing is measured in situ by stereoscopic image correlation and confirmed by SEM measurements to relate to underlying tow‐tow crossing points. Triangulated surface heights of plain weave tow architecture are used to determine that subtle differences in neighboring transverse tow angle, which vary within a range of ±4° from horizontal, have no significant effect on final fracture location. The results presented reaffirm the state of current SiC/SiC CMCs developed for energy applications and will help to further improve SiC/SiC and other CMCs.