Digital Repository, CP2009

Font Size: 
In situ monitoring of the crack path in a Ti/SiC metal matrixcomposite
P. Lopez-Crespo, A. Kyrieleis, F. A. Garcia-Pastor, P. J. Withers, M. Peel

Last modified: 2013-03-15

Abstract


Synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography has been used to study thepropagation of a fatigue crack in a Ti/SiC fibre composite of the type commonlyemployed in aeroengines. The experiments were conducted at the EuropeanSynchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. The tomography dataallowed us to follow the 3D crack path within the material and to analyse its interactionwith the fibres non destructively. The tortuosity of the crack and the tilting of the crackfront could effectively be evaluated with increasing number of cycles. Moreover thecrack driving force was monitored in terms of crack opening displacement (COD)measured directly from the volume data.

Full Text: PDF