Inelastic Response of Off-Axis MMC Lamina

Abstract

Damage evolution and failure characteristics were investigated for a 10 deg off-axis SiC/It unidirectional metal matrix composite (MMC) lamina subjected to monotonic loading. A replica technique was used to monitor sequential damage evolution under monotonic loading for the 10 deg MMC lamina. The replicas were then examined under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Characteristic debonding along the fiber—a dominant damage mechanism, matrix plasticity in the form of slip bands and fiber cracks were observed at various strain levels and were rationalized based on the state of stress in the off-axis lamina. This investigation provides an insight into the off-axis material response for MMC lamina and associated damage mechanisms and can guide mechanism-based multiaxial constitutive model and failure criteria development.