SEDL / STP / STP1309-EB / STP11827S

Secondary Processing Effects and Damage Mechanisms in Continuous-Fiber Ceramic Composites

Ramulu, M
Professor and graduate student, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Eswara Prasad, N
Scientists, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad,

Malakondaiah, G
Scientists, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad,

Guo, Z
Professor and graduate student, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

Continuous-fiber ceramic composites (CFCC) are a relatively new area of composite materials in research. Therefore, the feasibility of using abrasive waterjets (AWJ) as a secondary CFCC process was explored. Continuous fiber-reinforced advanced ceramic composite materials have been machined with the AWJ piercing and cutting process. The topography and morphology of the machined surfaces were evaluated with surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface characteristics, in terms of roughness and the micro-mechanisms of material removal, were evaluated. The AWJ surface characteristics and associated damage to the CFCC were compared with that of a conventional diamond saw cut surface. The AWJ generated surface was found to be significantly different from that of the diamond saw machining surface and the micromechanical behavior of the material removal was strongly dependent on the fiber orientation.