Numerical simulation of densification during consolidation of titanium-matrix coated fibers

The densification process was discussed by using finite element method (FEM) in SCS-6 SiC/Ti–6Al–4V composite fabricated by means of fiber coating method. The effect of matrix flow, fiber packing geometries and coating thickness on the stresses in titanium matrix was analyzed emphatically during the consolidation process. The results indicated that the densification process was obviously divided into two stages with the increasing of matrix flow and the densification of hexagonal fiber geometry is easier than that of square fiber geometry. In addition, the coating thickness, known as fiber volume fraction, is a very important factor influencing the densification process. The thinner the coating thickness is, the more difficult the consolidation process is. Commonly, the coating thickness is not less than 30 μm, or the densification process would be difficult abruptly.