Effect of strain rate, off-axis loading and high-velocity impact damage on the compressive strength of C/SiC composite

Abstract

The compressive strength of C/SiC composite at different strain rates, off-axis orientations and after high-velocity impact was studied. The compressive strength was found to be 137 ± 23, 130 ± 46 and 162 ± 33 MPa at a strain rate of 3.3 × 10−5, 3.3 × 10−3, 3.3 × 10−3 s−1, respectively. On the other hand, the compressive strength was found to be 130 ± 46, 99 ± 23 and 87 ± 9 MPa for 0°/90°, 30°/60° and 45°/45° fibre orientations to loading direction, respectively. After high-velocity impact, the residual compressive strength of C/SiC composite was found to be 58 ± 26, 44 ± 18 and 36 ± 3.5 MPa after impact with 100, 150 and 190 m/s, respectively. The formation of kink bands in fibre bundles was found to be dominant micro-mechanism for compressive failure of C/SiC composite for 0°/90° orientation. On the other hand, delamination and the fibre bundles rotation were found to be the dominant mechanism for off-axis failure of composite.