Abstract
Matrix cracking affects the reliability and safety of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites during operation. The matrix cracking can be divided into two types, that is, steady state crack and non-steady state cracking. This chapter is about the non-steady stable cracking of fiber-reinforced CMCs. The micro stress field of fiber, matrix, and interface shear stress along the fiber direction is analyzed using the shear-lag model. The relationship between the crack opening displacement and the crack surface closure traction is derived. The experimental first matrix cracking stress of different CMCs are predicted.