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Virginia Tech

Tensile behavior of unidirectional and cross-ply ceramic matrix composites

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The tensile behavior of two ceramic matrix composites (CMC's) was observed. The materials of interest in this study were a glass-ceramic matrix composite (GCMC) reinforced with Nicalon fibers and a Blackglas™ composite also reinforced with Nicalon fibers. Both had a symmetric cross-ply layup. Initial observations of the composites showed significant porosity and some cracking in the Blackglas™ samples. The GCMC samples showed considerably less damage. From the observed tensile behavior of the cross-ply composites, a 'back-out' factor for determining the 0° ply data of the composite was calculated using Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). The predicted behavior of the 0° ply was then compared to actual data supplied by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. While the Blackglas™ material showed good correlation, the GCMC did not. Analysis indicates that the applicability of this technique is strongly influenced by the initial microstructure of the composite, i.e., porosity, cracking. Fracture mirror measurements were also observed to determine the in-situ strength of the Nicalon fibers. Resulting characteristic strength and Weibull modulus values combined with measured fiber pullout lengths were then used to determine material parameters such as the ultimate tensile strength, strain to failure, work of pullout, sliding distance at the characteristic strength, and interfacial shear stress. Comparisons of measured and calculated ultimate tensile strengths and strains to failure showed good agreement. This research was sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Dahlgren VA.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Materials Science and Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Materials Science and Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Herrmann, Rebecca K.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Kampe, Stephen L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Curtin, William A. Jr.
  • Aning, Alexander O.
  • Hirschfeld, Deidre A.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-10012008-063030
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44954

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Herrmann, Rebecca K.. Tensile behavior of unidirectional and cross-ply ceramic matrix composites. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44954