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Fiber fracture during processing of continuous fiber, metal-matrix composites using the foil/fiber/foil technique

Journal Article · · Metallurgical Transactions, A
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Wright Lab., Wright Patterson AFB, OH (United States)
  2. Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering

The fracture of continuous fibers during processing of foil/fiber/foil (F/F/F) metal-matrix sites (MMCS) has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Experimental ions revealed that fiber fracture occurs during the heat-up portion of the consolidation cycle primarily in a bending mode in regions where cross-weave wires are present. Based on these observations, a general model that describes fiber fracture as a function of the processing stress and fiber mat geometry was developed. Model results showed that fiber stresses and, hence, the propensity for fracture are very sensitive to the distance between cross-weave wires in adjacent fiber mats; analytical expressions that allow the definition of a critical distance between such cross-weave wires were derived. The model relations demonstrated that fiber fracture is more likely in areas of a composite in which the fibers are arranged in a rectangular, rather than a triangular, pattern. The experimental and theoretical results were used to develop guidelines for the design of F/F/F layups to avoid fiber fracture during processing. The failure mechanism and basis for the model was developed through experimental observations on Ti-6Al-4V matrix, SCS-6 (silicon carbide) fiber MMCs.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
72785
Journal Information:
Metallurgical Transactions, A, Journal Name: Metallurgical Transactions, A Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 26; ISSN 0360-2133; ISSN MTTABN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English