FIBER FRACTURE IN CONTINUOUS FIBER CERAMIC COMPOSITES - CONCEPTS AND OBSERVATIONS

The knowledge of fiber behavior in CMCs is rather modest, and models t end to be based on concepts that are less than complete. The present p aper addresses several aspects of this problem. Fundamental assumption s for tensile strength models are discussed, and some basic modeling a pproaches are described. The effects of fiber fracture on the quasi-st atic stress-strain behavior are described (from physical measurements) , and some models of that behavior discussed. Finally, a summary of th e ''state of affairs'' for this subject will be attempted, and the nee ds for further investigation, especially to support improved modeling, will be presented.