MODELING AND SIMULATION OF THE EFFECT OF FIBER BREAKAGE ON CREEP-BEHAVIOR OF FIBER-REINFORCED METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES

A theoretical model and computer simulation methodology was developed to predict the effect of fiber fracture on creep behavior of continuous fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites. Initially, a single fiber model was developed based upon the fiber statistical characteristics and a shear-lag analysis to establish the computation simulation route. Then, the methodology was extended to predict the creep behavior of a multiple fiber composite. A failure criterion was also incorporated in the model to predict the rupture life of the composite. A parametric study was also conducted to investigate the effects of properties of the constituents on the longitudinal creep behavior of the SCS-6/Ti composite.