Stress envelope of silicon carbide composites at elevated temperatures

Nozawa, Takashi; Kim, S.*; Ozawa, Kazumi; Tanigawa, Hiroyasu

A SiC/SiC composite is a promising candidate material for the advanced fusion DEMO blanket. For the design of the DEMO, the stability of high-temperature strength of SiC/SiC composites needs to be identified. Additionally, strength anisotropy needs to be clarified because of its unique fabric architecture. This study therefore aims to evaluate mechanical properties by various modes at elevated temperatures, eventually providing a stress envelope for the design. A P/W Tyranno-SA3 fiber reinforced CVI SiC matrix composite with multilayered SiC/PyC interface was evaluated in this study. Tensile and compressive tests were conducted by the SSTT specifically arranged for the high-temperature use. In-plane shear properties were contrarily estimated by the off-axial tensile method assuming that the mixed mode failure criterion is valid for composites. All tests were performed in vacuum. The preliminary test results indicate no degradation of both proportional limit stress (PLS) and the ultimate tensile strength at temperatures below 1000C. Similarly, no significant degradation of high-temperature compressive and in-plane shear properties were identified, finally providing the stress envelope at elevated temperatures for the design.