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Title: Determination of the interface failure mechanism during transverse loading of single fiber SiC/Ti-6Al-4V composites from torsion tests

Journal Article · · Acta Materialia
;  [1];  [2]
  1. UES Inc., Dayton, OH (United States)
  2. Wright Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States). Materials Directorate

During transverse loading of continuous fiber-reinforced composites, large tangential shear stresses develop at the interface at about 45{degree} to the loading axis. These shear stresses may initiate interface failure and frictional sliding, increasing the load in the matrix and lowering the applied stress to cause normal fiber-matrix separation. In the present study, an attempt has been made to measure the tangential shear strength of the interface for single fiber SiC/Ti-6Al-4V composites with varying interfaces using torsion testing and finite element stress analysis. An energy based fracture mechanics approach was developed to predict the micro-mechanical response of the composite to torsional loading following interface crack initiation. The fracture mechanics analysis suggests that a non-linearity would appear in the strain versus angle of twist curve once debonding initiates. Based on the onset of non-linearity and finite element stress analysis, the tangential shear strength for SCs-6/Ti-6Al-4V interface (carbon-rich coated) was estimated at 50 MPa; that for the SCS-0/Ti-6Al-4V interface (uncoated) was greater than 80 MPa, and that for the Ac1/Ti-6Al-4V interface (carbon coated) was about 40 MPa. Comparison of these results with experimental observations and finite element analysis of transverse tension tests indicates that failure in SCs-6/Ti-6Al-4V and AC1/Ti-6Al-4V composites is initiated by tangential shear failure of the interface. In SCS-0/Ti-6Al-4V composites, the results are not conclusive.

OSTI ID:
445344
Journal Information:
Acta Materialia, Vol. 45, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English