Damage characterization of a 2D SiCSiC composite material

The damage characterization of a type of 2D SiCSiC composite material made of Nicalon SiC fibres, a pyrocarbon interphase and a β-SiC matrix is conducted using uniaxial tensile tests. Damage is evaluated by the variations of the Young's modulus and the total number of cracks (either in the total volume of the specimen or only between the fibres inside the bundles) as functions of the applied strain, from the end of the linear behaviour to failure. It is shown that the Aveston. Cooper & Kelly model commonly used for the interfacial shear stress estimation is not applicable to this material.