Influence of hold times on the elevated-temperature fatigue behavior of an oxide–oxide ceramic composite in air and in steam environment

The effect of hold times at maximum stress on fatigue behavior of an oxide–oxide ceramic composite was investigated at 1200 °C in laboratory air and in steam environments. The composite consists of a porous alumina matrix reinforced with woven mullite/alumina (Nextel™720) fibers, has no interface between the fiber and matrix, and relies on the porous matrix for flaw tolerance. Tension–tension fatigue tests with a ratio R (minimum to maximum stress) of 0.05, and hold times of 10 and 100 s were performed for fatigue stresses of 125 and 154 MPa in laboratory air, and for fatigue stresses of 100 and 125 MPa in steam environment. Block loading tests incorporating periods of cyclic and sustained loading were carried out to assess the effects of loading history on material behavior and environmental durability. In laboratory air, lives produced in fatigue tests with hold times exceeded those produced in creep but were shorter than those obtained in fatigue. Prior fatigue resulted in an order of magnitude improvement in creep life. Prior creep had no effect on subsequent fatigue life. Presence of steam significantly degraded the material performance. In steam, lives produced in fatigue tests with hold times were close to those obtained in creep. Prior fatigue reduced the creep resistance, and prior creep degraded the subsequent fatigue life. Composite microstructure, as well as damage and failure mechanisms were investigated. A qualitative spectral analysis showed evidence of silicon species migration from fiber to matrix, especially in steam.