Modeling matrix fracture in fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites with different fiber preforms

Abstract

In this paper, the stress-dependent matrix multiple fracture in silicon carbide fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites with different fiber preforms is investigated. The critical matrix strain energy criterion is used to determine the matrix multiple fracture considering the interface debonding. The effects of the fiber radius, fiber elastic modulus, matrix elastic modulus, fiber volume, interface shear stress, and interface debonded energy on the matrix multiple fracture and the interface debonding are analyzed. The experimental matrix multiple cracking and interface debonding of minicomposite, unidirectional, and two-dimensional woven SiC/SiC composites with different fiber volumes and interphases are predicted. The matrix cracking density increases with the increasing of the fiber volume, fiber elastic modulus, interface shear stress, and interface debonded energy, and the decreasing of the fiber radius and matrix elastic modulus.