TENSILE-FLEXURAL TEST OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE T-JOINTS

Ming Xie , Som R. Soni and Joseph E. Grady

ABSTRACT

T-shaped joints made from ceramic matrix composite materials were tested in a specially designed three-point loading fixture. Several woven fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites, including SiC/SiC and Oxide/Oxide composites, were studied. Two distinct failure modes were observed for composites with different fiber architectures. All the specimens made of 2D laminated composite failed due to delamination which initiated at the joint of the web and the flange section. However, all the specimens with 3D fiber architecture had bending failure at the flange section. A real time system was set up in the present study to view and record the whole process of crack propagation and failure of the T-joint.