Fatigue behavior and damage modeling of SCS-6/titanium/titanium aluminide hybrid laminated composite

The fatigue behavior of the unnotched and notched silicon carbide fiber-reinforced titanium/titanium aluminide hybrid laminated composite was investigated at room temperature. The evolution of microstructural damage and its effect on stiffness and strength degradation was quantified as a function of loading cycles and applied stress levels. Fatigue crack propagation behavior and damage mechanisms in both the crack divider and crack arrester orientations were investigated. Micromechanical models coupled with computer simulation were used to predict the fatigue damage evolution, property degradation and fatigue life. Microstructural design to optimize the fatigue properties of a fiber-reinforced ductile/brittle laminated composite is also discussed.