SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1997
STP19924S

Effects of Fiber Bridging and Fiber Fracture on Fatigue Cracking in a Titanium-Matrix Composite

Source

Constant amplitude fatigue tests were performed on [0]4 and [0/90]sSCS-6/TIMETAL 21S titanium-matrix composite specimens to study fiber bridging of matrix fatigue cracks. Crack length was monitored throughout the tests, and displacements near the crack surface were measured periodically by placing an Elber gage (1.5-mm gage length point extensometer) across the crack at a number of positions. Specimens were removed prior to failure and mechanically polished to the first layer of fibers and the extent of fiber bridging observed. While some cracks were fully bridged, other cracks contained broken fibers among the intact, bridging fibers. A model has been developed to study the mechanics of a cracked unidirectional composite with any combination of intact and broken fibers in the wake of the matrix crack. Displacements near the crack surface predicted by the model agree with the Elber gage measurements for cracks that were fully bridged. Predictions were also performed for bridged cracks with discrete fiber breaks in the crack wake based on the geometry observed after polishing with good correlation between the predictions and the experimental measurements.

Author Information

Herrmann, DJ
Allison Engine Company, Indianapolis, IN
Hillberry, BM
School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D30
Pages: 103–125
DOI: 10.1520/STP19924S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5353-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2411-0