Thermal Cycling Damage of Metal Matrix Composites: Analytical Study on Dimensional Change

Abstract

An analytical model to predict dimensional changes in thermal cycled metal matrix composites (MMCs) with and without constant stress is proposed. The present model assumes that the temperature-time relation to simulate thermal cycling is of a step-function type and the matrix metal deforms as elastic/plastic/creep material while the fiber remains elastic throughout thermal cycling. The model can explain well the experimental results of W-ThO2/FeCrAlY composite during the early stage of cycling and those of the previous works. The present model is then compared with the existing ones including our previous model. Another model is also constructed to simulate the later stage of thermal cycling damage where the debonding of the matrix-fiber interface would presumably take place progressively with number of cycles. This model with a progressive debonded interface was found to explain reasonably well the later stage of dimensional changes observed in W-ThO2/FeCrAlY composite. Then, the dimensional change in thermal cycled MMC under constant stress loading is studied by use of the above model for early (first) stage of thermal cycling that is modified to account for applied stress. This model can explain well the experimental results of W/Cu composite.