Synergistic effects of fiber/matrix interface wear and fibers fracture on matrix multiple cracking in fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites

In this paper, the synergistic effects of fiber/matrix interface wear and fibers fracture on matrix multiple cracking in fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) are investigated using the critical matrix strain energy (CMSE) criterion. The shear-lag model combined with the fiber/matrix interface wear model, fibers fracture model and the fiber/matrix interface fracture mechanics debonding criterion is adopted to analyze the fiber and matrix axial stress distribution inside of the damaged composite. The relationships between the matrix multiple cracking, fatigue peak stress, applied cyclic number, fiber/matrix interface wear and debonding and fibers failure are established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, fiber/matrix interface shear stress, fiber/matrix interface debonded energy, cycle number, fatigue peak stress and fibers strength on matrix multiple cracking evolution are discussed. Comparisons of matrix multiple cracking with/without cyclic fatigue loading are analyzed. The experimental multiple matrix cracking of unidirectional SiC/CAS, SiC/CAS-II, SiC/Borosilicate and mini-SiC/SiC composites with/without cyclic fatigue loading are predicted.