A Quantitative Representation of Damage and Failure Response of Three-Dimensional Textile SiC/SiC Ceramics Matrix Composites Subjected to Flexural Loading

Abstract In the present work, the microstructure deformation and synergetic damage evolution of a three-dimensional textile SiC/SiC ceramic-matrix composite under flexural loading are investigated by in situ digital image correlation at ambient temperatures. The correlations between microstructure evolution and macro-mechanical degradation of 3D textile composites under flexural loading are established based on the experimental results. In addition, by establishing continuum damage mechanics and a thermodynamic framework with synergetic effects of microstructures, a flexural loading-induced damage evolution model is developed to reveal the relationship between the energy release rate and elastic modulus degradation. The proposed model can be used to predict the flexural stress–strain curves of 3D textile SiC/SiC composites to further improve the design and assessment of new textile architectures with specific mechanical properties.