Behavior of two-dimensional C/SiC composites subjected to thermal cycling in controlled environments

Abstract

Thermal fatigue behavior of two-dimensional carbon fiber reinforced SiC matrix composites fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration technique was investigated using an on-line quench method in controlled environments which simulated an aero-engine gas. A system of damage information acquisition (SDIA) was developed to study changes in electrical resistance of the C/SiC composites during their damage in dynamic testing. Damage to composites was assessed by the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and SEM characterization. The results showed that: (1) under different atmosphere, the 2D-C/SiC composites subjected to thermal cycling behaved very differently and the most sensitive atmosphere was the wet oxygen; (2) external load could accelerate the degradation of the composites and changed the oxidation regimes of fibers; (3) the electrical resistance of the specimen could be detected on-line, stored in real time and analyzed reliably by the newly-developed SDIA; (4) 2D-C/SiC composites had an excellent thermal fatigue resistance in different environments.