Cracking and Fatigue in Fiber-Reinforced Metal and Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

The damage that occurs in unidirectional ceramic and metal matrix composites upon monotonic and cyclic loading involves coupled considerations of mechanics and stochastic processes. Some of the basic principles are described and models presented that both characterize damage evolution and govern mechanism changes. Comparisons are presented between predictions and experimental data for such phenomena as modulus degradation caused by matrix cracking, fatigue crack growth and tensile strength.