Modeling of oxidation in metal matrix composites
Int. J. Engng Sci. Vol. 33, No. 15, pp. 2327-2343, 1995
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MODELING OF OXIDATION IN METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES
D. C. L A G O U D A S , X. MA, D. A. MILLER and D. H. ALLEN
Center for Mechanics of Composites, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3141, U.S.A. Abstract--Oxidation in metal matrix composites (MMCs) is modeled by Fickian diffusion of oxygen in both the oxide layer and metal matrix. The oxidation process and the resulting immobilized oxygen at the interface is accounted for by the introduction of a jump discontinuity in the oxygen concentration across the interface. The problems of a uniformly growing oxide layer from the surface of a semi-infinite solid, outward oxygen diffusion and oxidation from a cylindrical cavity, as well as inward oxygen diffusion and oxidation from the surface of a cylinder, are considered as benchmark problems in oxidation of MMCs. In addition to the modeling results, a series of experimental results of oxidation of a unidirectional SiC/Ti matrix MMC are presented. The measured oxide thicknesses at different times and temperatures are used to calibrate and validate the model under development. While the present paper deals only with the oxidation problem, the coupled oxidationthermomech~mical problem, and especially the influence of oxidation on fatigue life of MMCs, will be presented in a future communication.
1. I N T R O D U C T I O N
1.1 Damage and oxidation in MMCs
Metal matrix composites have been proposed for elevated temperature advanced applications due to their high strength and ability to retain their mechanical integrity at relatively high temperatures. Applications anticipated for structural components in advanced turbine engines and hypersonic aiLrcraft require the structural composite to withstand severe mechanical