THERMAL-SHOCK BEHAVIOR OF FIBER-REINFORCED CERAMIC-MATRIX COMPOSITES

Theoretical aspects of thermal shock behavior of ceramics are reviewed to form a basis for assessing the thermal shock behavior of ceramic composites. This background is then used to study the influence of fiber type and method of composite fabrication on the thermal shock behavior of 2-D fiber-reinforced ceramic composites. Thermal shock tests are performed using a water quench technique, and thermal shock damage is characterized by both destructive and non-destructive techniques. It is shown that the composites possess superior resistance to thermal shock damage than the monolithic ceramics. Catastrophic failure due to severe thermal stresses is prevented in composites and a significant portion of their original strength is retained. These results along with an analysis of the thermal shock damage mechanism based on the destructive and nondestructive tests are described.