HIGH-TEMPERATURE DEFORMATION AND FRACTURE OF A FIBER-REINFORCED TITANIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE

The longitudinal tensile properties of a SiC fiber-reinforced Ti alloy have been investigated over the temperature range of 20-600 degrees C . Experiments have been conducted at both constant strain rate and con stant stress. The experimental results have been compared with predict ions of models based on fiber fragmentation, matrix flow and creep, an d load transfer via interfacial friction. The models predict trends th at are similar to the experimental ones, though they generally overest imate the tensile strength and ductility and the creep rupture time. T he possible origins of such discrepancies are briefly discussed.