Elevated temperature interfacial behaviour of MMCs: A computational study

Metallic and intermetallic matrix composites (MMCs and IMCs) are potential candidates for future use in the aerospace industry because of their high strength-to-weight ratio even at elevated temperatures. The thermomechanical behaviour of the fibre-matrix interface plays an important role in the successful application of this class of composites. The push-out test is emerging as an important experimental tool for characterizing the interfacial behaviour of MMCs and IMCs. In this study, the single-fibre push-out test is modelled using the finite element method, with the objectives of studying the interface failure process and extracting interfacial properties from the experimental test results. Earlier studies by the authors emphasized the significance of processing-induced residual stresses in titanium-based composites and their effects on push-out test results. In the present work, the developed methodology is used to study the interfacial behaviour during push-out tests at elevated temperatures. An attempt is made to predict interfacial shear strengths at elevated temperatures, by correlating the numerical simulations and the experimental results.