Finite Element Simulation of Damage Initiation and Propagation in SiC/Ti Composites Subjected to Combined Thermo-mechanical Loadings

Finite element micromechanical analysis is used to simulate damage mechanisms in SiC/Ti fiber reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) under axial and transverse loading. The modeling of composite failure is considered according the reported experimental observations of SiC/Ti damage mechanisms. The predicted results show good agreement with the available experimental data in various loading condition. The effects of residual stress (RS), loading temperature, and fiber volume fraction (FVF) on damage initiation are investigated.