The Behavior of Ceramic Matrix, Fiber Composites under Combined Impact and Tensile Stresses

An investigation has been carried out of the impact behavior of fiber composites with glass and glass-ceramic matrices. The materials, which were selected as model systems for high temperature ceramic composites, consisted of graphite fibers in borosilicate glass and lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass- ceramic matrices. Impact testing was carried out on crossplied material of lay- up (0, 90) 2S. Several different types of impact experiments were carried out. In one, specimens were impacted at room temperature by an instrumental falling weight impactor while subjected to a superimposed tensile stress. The amount of damage caused in this test depends on the level of stress and impact energy. The concept of an impact map has been developed: taking total fracture as the failure criterion, an impact map can be constructed in which impact energy is plotted against applied stress. Impact tests, Ceramic matrix, Fracture, Damage, Composite materials, Applied stress.