3D detection and quantitative characterization of cracks in a ceramic matrix composite tube using X-ray computed tomography

Y. Chen (1) , Lionel Gélébart (1) , Camille Chateau (2) , Michel Bornert (2) , A. King (3) , Patrick Aimedieu (2) , Cédric Sauder (1)

1 SRMA - Service des Recherches Métallurgiques Appliquées
2 NAVIER UMR 8205 - Laboratoire Navier
3 SSOLEIL - Synchrotron SOLEIL

Cracks play an essential role in the degradation of the thermomechanical behavior of ceramic matrix composites. However, characterizing their complex 3D geometries within a complex microstructure is still a challenge. This paper presents a series of procedures, based on X-ray tomographic images, to evaluate the applied 3D strains, including their through-thickness gradients, and to detect and quantify the induced crack networks in ceramic matrix composites. Digital volume correlation and some dedicated image processing algorithms are employed. A novel method is proposed to estimate the opening, orientation and surface area of the detected cracks. The proposed procedures are applied to the images of a SiC/SiC composite tube that has been tested in situ under uniaxial tension with synchrotron X-ray computed tomography.

Keywords: Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs); Damage mechanisms; X-ray computed tomography; Crack quantification

Domains: Mechanics of materials [physics.class-ph]

Y. Chen, Lionel Gélébart, Camille Chateau, Michel Bornert, A. King, et al.. 3D detection and quantitative characterization of cracks in a ceramic matrix composite tube using X-ray computed tomography. Experimental Mechanics, 2020, 60 (3), pp.409-424. ⟨10.1007/s11340-019-00557-5⟩. ⟨hal-02557516⟩