Tensile, compressive and in-plane/inter-laminar shear failure behavior of CVI- and NITE-SiC/SiC composites

Nozawa, Takashi; Choi, Y.-B.*; Hinoki, Tatsuya*; Kishimoto, Hirotatsu*; Koyama, Akira*; Tanigawa, Hiroyasu

A SiC/SiC composite is one of attractive candidates for fission and nuclear fusion due to the proven irradiation tolerance coupled with the excellent baseline properties as refractory ceramics. Considering the inherent anisotropy of composites due to the variety of fabric architecture, it is required to identify the crack propagation behavior of SiC/SiC composites by various failure modes. This study aims to evaluate crack propagation behavior by the axial and off-axial tensile/compressive tests, Iosipescu test for in-plane shear, double-notch-shear test for inter-laminar shear and diametral compression test for inter-laminar detachment. Preliminary test results identified strength anisotropy maps, implying that the composites failed by the mixed modes. Specifically, it was found that the in-plane/inter-laminar shear modes had significant impacts on the results.