Optimizing Ceramic Matrix Composite Interlaminar Fracture Toughness (Mode I) Wedge Test

Author(s):  
Frank Abdi ◽  
Saber DorMohammadi ◽  
Jalees Ahmad ◽  
Cody Godines ◽  
Gregory N. Morscher ◽  
...  

ASTM test standards for CMC’s Crack Growth Resistance (CGR) may exhibit a zig-zag (wavy) crack path pattern, and fiber bridging. The experimental parameters that may contribute to the difficulty can be summarized as: specimen width and thickness, interface coating thickness, mixed mode failure evolution, and interlaminar defects. Modes I crack growth resistances, GI were analytically determined at ambient temperature using wedge test, a modified double cantilever beam (DCB). Several Finite Element (FE) based Multi-scale modeling potential techniques were investigated: a) Multi-scale progressive failure analysis (MS-PFA); b) Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT). Advantages and disadvantages of each were identified. The final modeling algorithm recommended was an integrated damage and fracture evolution methodology using combined MS-PFA and VCCT. The material tested in this study was a slurry-cast melt-infiltrated SiC/SiC composite with Tyranno ZMI fibers (Ube Industries, Kyoto, Japan) and a BN interphase. The fiber architecture consisted of eight plies of balanced 2-D woven five-harness satin. The total fiber volume fraction was about 30% with half of the fibers in the 0° direction and half in the 90° direction. All specimens had a nominal thickness of 4 mm. An alumina wedge with 18° head angle (2α) was used. In this method, a splitting force is created by inserting a vertically-moving wedge in a notch causing the arms to separate and forcing an interlaminar crack at the sharpest end of the notch The MS-PFA numerical model predicted the damage and fracture evolution and utilized the GENOA UMAT (User Material Subroutine) for Damage and FEM (Finite Element Model) stress intensity and LEFM (Linear elastic Fracture Model), Cohesive Model for Fracture. The analysis results (Fracture energy vs. crack length, Fracture energy vs. load, Fracture energy vs. crack opening displacement) matched the Mode I coupon tests and revealed the following key findings. Mode I-Wedge specimen exhibits: 1) failure mode is due to interlaminar tension (ILT) only in the interface section and a zig-zag pattern observed; 2) VCCT crack growth resistance is well matched to the test data; and 3) failure mode is a mixed mode behavior of Interlaminar tension (ILT) to interlaminar shear (ILS). The final Wedge test specimen configuration optimization includes the sensitivity of design parameters to CGR: a) wedge contact coefficient of friction; b) lever arms thickness, and c) inclined head angle, distance between the initial crack and wedge tip.

Author(s):  
Cody Godines ◽  
Saber DorMohammadi ◽  
Jalees Ahmad ◽  
Rabih Mansour ◽  
Gregory N. Morscher ◽  
...  

A Durability and Damage Tolerance (D&DT) analysis of an S200 Nicalon/SiNC and Oxide/Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) was conducted to determine the crack growth resistance (GIc) of Wedge Loaded DCB (WDCB) at Room and Elevated temperatures (RT/ET) and compared with experimental tests observations. Wedge Loading gives proper crack path without mixed mode effects and can be used at high temperature in a furnace. Load displacement, GIc, electrical resistivity and acoustic emission was measured by tests and compared to FE based Multi Scale Progressive Failure Analysis (PFA) of the WDCB specimen. The critical damage events studied included damage initiation, damage propagation, fracture initiation, and fracture propagation as the components were being loaded. Effect of defects on Modulus (E11, E22, and E33) was conducted by Electrical Resistance (ER) Measurement at Room temperature (RT). Multi-Scale modeling simulation considered de-homogenized nano-assisted micromechanics analytical formulation, a Mori Tanaka based stiffness correction including void shape, size, distribution and orientation effects. Emitted/received signal amplitude by ER Vs. time was used to evaluate reduction of stiffness in all directions resulting in anisotropic stiffness of As-Built specimens. WDCB specimen was tested to failure at RT/ET to produce reliable GIc values with minimum specimen size. Many parameters that contribute to specimen failure included interface coating thickness, mixed mode failure evolution, interlaminar defects, delamination damage, crack bridging, and fiber fracture which were all studied in detail in this work. All simulations correlated well with test.


Author(s):  
Frank Abdi ◽  
Saber DorMohammadi ◽  
Jalees Ahmad ◽  
Cody Godines ◽  
Gregory N. Morscher ◽  
...  

A Durability and Damage Tolerance (D&DT) analysis of an S200 Nicalon/SiNC CVI SiC/SiC attachment joint was conducted to determine the CMC components material structural integrity during service loading. A building block validation strategy is proposed that includes: (i) Room, and High Temperature (RT/HT) testing with AE (Acoustic Emission) and ER (Electrical Resistivity) strategies; (ii) Advanced multi-scale modeling; (iii) Interpretation test/model; and (iv) ASTM draft submittal of simplified beam equation supported by FEM/test compliance and round robin exercise. The following building block calibration, verification, validation, and accreditation strategy were performed: 1) Material characterization analysis to determine the damage evolution under uniaxial tensile loads and compared with test; 2) Crack Growth Resistance (CGR) analysis and test of wedge loaded DCB (Double Cantilever Beam) to determine the crack growth length, zig-zag pattern, fracture, shift in failure mechanisms and derivation of fracture energy vs. crack length simple formulation at RT; 3) Joint loading multi scale modeling and comparison with observed test load displacement curve, and determination of fracture energy; and 4) blade structural integrity and response under service loading using Multi-Scale Progressive Failure Analysis (MS-PFA) and determination of contributing damage and delamination types and their locations. FE based MS-PFA of the material and structure studied addressed the critical damage events (damage initiation, damage propagation, fracture initiation, and fracture propagation) as the components were being loaded. All dehomogenized multi scale methods CMC parameters were implemented in the material and structural modeling strategy, such as crack density effects and architecture (2D, 3D orthogonal, and mixed) interphase thickness, and interfacial shear strength. Many parameters that contribute to specimen failure including interface coating thickness, mixed mode failure evolution, interlaminar defects, delamination damage, crack bridging, and fiber fracture were all studied in detail in this work. Several FE-based multi-scale modeling techniques were investigated: a) MS-PFA; b) Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT); and c) integrated damage and fracture evolution methodology using combined MS-PFA and VCCT.


Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Yahya Ali Fageehi

This paper presents computational modeling of a crack growth path under mixed-mode loadings in linear elastic materials and investigates the influence of a hole on both fatigue crack propagation and fatigue life when subjected to constant amplitude loading conditions. Though the crack propagation is inevitable, the simulation specified the crack propagation path such that the critical structure domain was not exceeded. ANSYS Mechanical APDL 19.2 was introduced with the aid of a new feature in ANSYS: Smart Crack growth technology. It predicts the propagation direction and subsequent fatigue life for structural components using the extended finite element method (XFEM). The Paris law model was used to evaluate the mixed-mode fatigue life for both a modified four-point bending beam and a cracked plate with three holes under the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) assumption. Precise estimates of the stress intensity factors (SIFs), the trajectory of crack growth, and the fatigue life by an incremental crack propagation analysis were recorded. The findings of this analysis are confirmed in published works in terms of crack propagation trajectories under mixed-mode loading conditions.


1994 ◽  
Vol 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ludwig ◽  
P. Gumbsch

AbstractThe atomistic processes during fracture of NiAl are studied using a new embedded atom (EAM) potential to describe the region near the crack tip. To provide the atomistically modeled crack tip region with realistic boundary conditions, a coupled finite element - atomistic (FEAt) technique [1] is employed. In agreement with experimental observations, perfectly brittle cleavage is observed for the (110) crack plane. In contrast, cracks on the (100) plane either follow a zig-zag path on (110) planes, or emit dislocations. Dislocation generation is studied in more detail under mixed mode I/II loading conditions.


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