Ceramic fiber composites: Experimental analysis and modeling of mechanical properties

Ceramic fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are outstanding ceramics with high fracture toughness. This can be realized if both brittle components of the composite, i.e., fibers and matrix are interacting with each other in an efficient way. Either a weak interface allowing debonding between fiber and matrix controls the fracture processes (WIC–CMC) or the matrix takes this role of a weak and more compliant component (WMC–CMC). An experimental test data base is presented for a WMC-type composite where the materials data are used to establish a model which describes the materials behavior in a macroscopic way. Inelastic deformation and materials damage processes are defined, measured and interpreted on the base of a continuum damage mechanics concept. The elastic and inelastic response is then predictable up to failure as being dependent on the angle between fiber and loading directions of the specimens.