Modification and validation of the thermal shock parameter for ceramic matrix composites under water quenching condition

The critical thermal shock temperature difference to represent the thermal shock resistance of ceramic matrix composites was commonly predicted by the thermal shock parameter RTSF=σ(1-υ)Eα. It can be usually measured experimentally by quenching specimens from various elevated temperatures and determining the quenching temperature difference that results in a reduction of strength for a given specimen geometry. However, the large difference between the measured (ΔTc) and calculated values always exists. In this study, a modified thermal shock parameter (Rm) of ceramic matrix composites was proposed based on theoretical derivation and experimental verification, although the new coefficient k was introduced. The value of coefficient k in the Rm was validated by our present and previous experiment data. Furthermore, the Rm was verified using the literature data by comparing its predictions with the ΔTc reported in the literatures. The results showed that the calculated Rm was very close to the ΔTc measured in the literatures.