FRACTURE-RESISTANCE OF FIBER-REINFORCED CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

The influence of the properties of the fibres, the matrix and the interface on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced ceramics is analyzed by a simplified method previously developed by the authors for cohesive materials. The method parts from the assumption that crack displacements are known a priori and furnishes, in a simple and easy way, the fracture resistance curves versus crack length. The numerical results from the model are compared with experimental data from the literature. Finally, the model is used to assess the influence of fiber strength, interface slipping shear stress, fiber radius and fiber defect distribution on the fracture resistance and ductility of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites.