MECHANICAL-BEHAVIOR OF A CROSS-WEAVE CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE .1. TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE LOADING

The deformation and fracture processes of a cross-weave carbon fibre/SiC composite prepared by a chemical vapour deposition process has been explored by interrupted-loading tests and SEM examination of cracking and fracture processes. The tensile stress-strain curves show non-linear behaviour associated with progressive matrix cracking and spalling, and the occasional fracture of a fibre. Re-loading curves and compressive stress-strain curves show linear behaviour. The fracture process does not involve cracking by a single dominant crack but occurs by the development of multiple damage sites operating around the transverse fractures of groups of four to eight fibres followed by longitudinal cracking at their fibre-matrix interfaces and temporary arrest of the cracks, until specimen failure occurs and there is massive fibre debonding and pull-out.