Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Ceramics and Ceramic Composites at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of our research on dynamic mechanical properties of silicon nitride based ceramics and ceramic composites at elevated temperatures. The temperature-dependent dynamic elastic modulus and internal damping of the cantilever beam samples were measured from room temperature up to 1100°C. The dynamic mechanical behavior is found to be rather stable up to 700°C, but damping peaks are found to occur at around 900°C, accompanied by a corresponding relaxation in elastic modulus for the tested samples. By simulating the thermal cycling environment of engines, the resulting changes in the dynamic mechanical properties of the samples are observed. The possible mechanisms affecting the dynamic mechanical properties of these ceramics and ceramic composites, with special emphasis on high-temperature behavior, are discussed.