Deformation and damage processes during tensile creep of ceramic-fibre-reinforced ceramic–matrix composites

The tensile creep and creep fracture properties in air at 1300°C are compared for SiCf/SiC and SiCf/Al2O3 composites, each reinforced with 0.38 volume fractions of interwoven silicon carbide (Nicalon™) fibre bundles aligned parallel and normal to the stress direction. The differing behaviour patterns displayed by these 0/90° woven composites are analysed to identify the processes controlling creep strain accumulation and crack development.