Multiscale Thermal Characterization of Mechanically Loaded Ceramic Matrix Composite

Abstract

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) are very attractive for structural applications at high temperatures or under temperature gradients. For these reasons, the mechanical properties must be considered together with the thermophysical properties. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the thermal characterization capabilities of IR thermography in multiscale damage assessment for CMCs. A first device was developed for the thermomechanical characterization at the level of fiber bundle. The longitudinal effective thermal diffusivity was monitored in-situ using the Angstrom method during a tensile test. In a second device, we implemented flash methods for the estimation of longitudinal and transverse diffusivities during tensile tests of 2D woven SiC/SiC composites. The macroscopic results corroborate the microscopic ones, but they also give complementary indications about composite’s behavior. Morevover, these methods offered the possibility to map the distribution of transverse thermal diffusivity.