Damage characterization of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) during tensile testing

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques were used for the tensile damage characterization in ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Ultrasonic testing (UT) and infrared (IR) thermography were employed to assess defects and/or damage evolution before and during mechanical testing. Prior to tensile testing, a UT C-scan and a xenon flash method were performed to obtain initial defect information in light of UT C-scans and thermal diffusivity maps, respectively. An IR camera was used for in-situ monitoring of progressive damages. The IR camera measured temperature changes during tensile testing. This paper has presented the feasibility of using NDE techniques to interpret structural performance of CMCs.