EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TENSILE BEHAVIOR OF NICALON FIBER-REINFORCED CALCIUM ALUMINOSILICATE COMPOSITES

Mechanical behaviour studies were conducted on Nicalon SiC/calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) composites. Tensile tests were carried out to study the stress strain behaviour, as well as to identify the failure mechanisms, of unidirectional and cross-ply SiC/CAS composites. The evolution of the various damage modes and the synergistic effects among them were investigated. The effect of the 90-degrees ply thickness on the damage modes was also determined. The composite stiffness reduction during damage evolution was evaluated. A tensile test specimen was designed for glass and glass-ceramic composites to avoid end-tab shear failure and expensive machining as well as to reduce the effect of bending due to misalignment. The results of this work provide insight into the stress-strain behaviour and damage mechanisms of continuous fibre-reinforced ceramic composites which can be very valuable in design with these materials.