Evaluation of interface fracture toughness in SiC fiber reinforced titanium matrix composite

The finite element method based on the equivalent domain integral technique was developed to simulate the push out test and evaluate the interfacial fracture toughness of SiC reinforced titanium matrix composites. A special subroutine was introduced while modeling the push-out test to control interfacial failure process. In addition, the residual stresses, Poisson ratio and friction stresses were all considered in the finite element analysis and the interface debonding was described as a continuous process. The results show that the interfacial fracture toughness of SiC/Timetal-834 is about 50 J/m2. Moreover, the effects of various parameters on the interfacial fracture toughness and the variations of energy release rates at both ends of the specimen were analyzed in detail.