DAMAGE OF A 2D AL2O3 SIC COMPOSITE DURING UNIAXIAL CREEP/

The aim of this study is to analyse the uniaxial tensile and creep beh aviour of an alumina fibre-reinforced silicon-carbide-matrix composite . The tensile behaviour is elastic-damageable and is related to the ex tension of fibre/matrix debonding which follows matrix cracking. The u niaxial creep of the composite is characterised by the occurrence of o ne or two tertiary stages. The first relates to progressive fibre/matr ix debonding following matrix cracking which develops during loading. The second tertiary stage appears only at low creep stresses and is re lated to successive failure of the alumina fibres leading to a non-cat astrophic rupture of the composite. The study shows that a conventiona l Norton analysis of creep can only be considered by taking into accou nt the damage state of the composite at the secondary stage. (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Limited.