HIGH-TEMPERATURE DEFORMATION AND RUPTURE IN SIC-C COMPOSITES

Creep studies have been performed on an SIC-C composite under flexural , compressive and tensile loading conditions. It has been found that t he creep rates in all loadings are similar and consistent with deforma tion dominated by the fibers. The implication is that the C matrix is susceptible to extensive microcrack damage, causing all the stress to be borne by the fibers. The elevated stress on the fibers causes tensi le creep rupture at small creep ductilities. This behavior has been at tributed to slow crack growth in the fibers.