Development of new interface potential for evaluating strength of SiC/SiC composite joint

In order to examine mode-I and II type fracture behavior of ceramic joints, the interface element was proposed as one of the simple models which represent the mechanism of failure in an explicit manner. It was applied to the analyses of four point bending test and asymmetrical four point bending test for SiC/SiC composite specimen joined by ARCJoinTTM. By using a new type interface potential, which is a coupled function of opening and shear deformations, both the bending and asymmetrical bending tests were simulated. From comparison with experiments, surface energy at the interface between the joint and composite was estimated to be about 30 N/m regardless of the fracture mode.