Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Progressive Damage of SiCf/SiC Composite under Three-Point Bending

Abstract

Satin SiCf/SiC composite has a wide range of applications; it is necessary to study its mechanical properties. The progressive failure of five-harness five-layer satin weave SiCf/SiC plate composites was explored experimentally and numerically in this research. The bending properties were derived and elucidated at ambient temperature through a three-point bending experiment. The generation and progression of damage was observed by CCD camera. For quantitative analysis of the strain field evolution, DIC (digital image correlation) was adopted, while the microscopic analyses were performed for the description of the derived failure markings. With the aid of ABAQUS/Explicit, the experiment was subjected to 3D finite element modeling for the reproduction of the material behavioral, where the VUMAT subroutine was used to implement a 3D-altered criterion of the Hashin damage initiation and the progression law of its complementary damage. Intra-deformation interface failure was simulated with a composite interlayer cohesive zone element. The experimentally derived DIC-based strain fields were well-consistent with the numerical outcomes. Deeper investigation was made into the superiority of the 3D modeling, which is ascribed to the predictability for distribution of complex field variables like the free-edge effect and progressive failure accumulation within the critical sample section. The damage mechanism of the satin weave composite was explored in depth and it provides useful guidance for the practical application of the composite.