Current development in non-destructive testing and damage evaluation for ceramic matrix composites

Abstract

The present studies highlight some efforts to implement state of the art non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to certify the integrity of a typical ceramic matrix composite (CMC, e.g. C/SiC) material as well as its components. These methods include infrared thermography, X-ray radiography and industrial computerised tomography. The major purpose of the investigation is to evaluate the abilities of these techniques in detecting both fabrication-induced and artificially embedded defects with various geometries and dimensions in the C/SiC composites. Then, the dimensions of defects will be correlated with the mechanical properties of C/SiC composites such as flexural strength and tensile strength. The fracture sections of the composites with defects after the mechanical tests will be observed and the significant damage mechanism suggested.