Degradation of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Matrix Composites Under Constant-Load Conditions

Book excerpt: Ten different ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials were subjected to a constant load and temperature in an air environment. Tests conducted under these conditions are often referred to as stressed oxidation or creep rupture tests. The stressed oxidation tests were conducted at a temperature of 1454 deg C at stresses of 69 MPa, 172 MPa and 50% of each material's ultimate tensile strength. The ten materials included such CMCs as C/SiC, SiC/C, SiC/SiC, SiC/SiNC and C/C. The time to failure results of the stressed oxidation tests will be presented. Much of the discussion regarding material degradation under stressed oxidation conditions will focus on C/SiC composites. Thermogravimetric analysis of the oxidation of fully exposed carbon fiber (T300) and of C/SiC coupons will be presented as well as a model that predicts the oxidation patterns and kinetics of carbon fiber tows oxidizing in a nonreactive matrix.