EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF MECHANICAL LOADING ON THERMAL TRANSPORT IN CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES
This paper presents the results of experimental measurements of transverse thermal diffusivity for six different industrial Ceramic Matrix Composite materials under the action of in-plane uni-axial mechanical loading. Measurements have also been taken using a one-dimensional Laser Flash technique on 8 mm diameter disc specimens without mechanical load. These results have been used to benchmark data obtained using a three-dimensional Laser Flash rig developed to operate on large mechanical test specimens whilst being loaded in a test machine. The latter facility has been used to measure the degradation of transverse thermal diffusivity with uni-axial strain. For five of the composites tested the degradation of transverse thermal diffusivity was small; and the degradation of transverse thermal diffusivity was linear with strain. One composite showed evidence of fibre pullout, and a decrease of transverse thermal diffusivity to a low value. The different behaviours observed were believed to be associated with the weave type/composite lay-up, and the selection of composite constituent materials, although insufficient data is available to make general conclusions.