Rate-Dependence of Tensile Properties and Stress-Strain Behavior of an Oxide/ Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composite at Elevated Temperature and the Effects O

Advanced aerospace structures and components require materials that exhibit high strength at high operating temperatures. Nextel " 720/Alumina (N720/A) is an oxide/oxide, porous-matrix ceramic-matrix composite developed for load bearing applications at elevated temperatures. The current research investigates the rate dependence of tensile properties of the N720/A CMC at 1200-C as well as the creep behavior of this composite under applied stresses in the 1-25 MPa range. In addition, influence of prior loading rate on the creep response of N720/A under applied stresses above 50 MPa was evaluated at 1200-C. Tensile tests conducted at loading rate of 0.0025 and 25 MPa/s revealed a strong influence of rate on the ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and failure strain. Several samples subjected to additional heat-treatments were tested to ascertain whether the stress-strain behavior observed in the 0-30 MPa stress range in tests conducted at 0.0025 MPa/s was an artifact of incomplete processing of fibers in the as-received material. Additional heat treatment had no effect on stress-strain behavior at 0.0025 MPa/s.