THE EFFECT OF FIBER CONTENT ON THE FATIGUE LIFE OF SCS6 TI-15-3 COMPOSITE

The fatigue life of unidirectional SCS6/Ti-15-3 composite was enhanced by higher fiber content at room temperature and 550C on a stress-basi s. A strain-based comparison collapsed fatigue life for all fiber cont ents at 550C; however, modest differences in fatigue life were observe d for different fiber contents at room temperature. These differences were thought to be related to variations in residual stress levels, fi ber bridging and fiber spacing/damage considerations. Matrix relaxatio n and environmental attack were believed to reduce or counteract these factors at 550C.