In this study, we have examined ceramic matrix composites with silicon carbide fibers in a melt-infiltrated silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC). We subjected samples to tensile loads while collecting micro X-ray computed tomography images. The results showed the expected crack slowing mechanisms and lower resistance to crack propagation where the fibers ran parallel and perpendicular to the applied load respectively. Cracking was shown to initiate not only from the surface but also from silicon inclusions. Post heat-treated samples showed longer fiber pull-out than the pristine samples, which was incompatible with previously proposed mechanisms. Evidence for oxidation was identified and new mechanisms based on oxidation or an oxidation assisted boron nitride phase transformation was therefore proposed to explain the long pull-out. The role of oxidation emphasizes the necessity of applying oxidation resistant coatings on SiC/SiC.

In this paper, the comparisons of thermomechanical fatigue behavior of C/SiC and SiC/SiC fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) subjected to different phase angles of θ = 0, π/3, π/2 and π have been investigated. The relationships between the fatigue damage mechanisms, phase angle, fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy, fatigue hysteresis modulus and fatigue peak strain, fiber/matrix interface debonding and sliding have been established. The differences between C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites under thermomechanical fatigue loading with different phase angles have been analyzed. The damage accumulation of 2.5D C/SiC and 2D SiC/SiC composites under thermomechanical fatigue loading have been predicted. With increasing of the phase angle, the fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy, fatigue peak strain and interface debonded length decrease for the SiC/SiC composite; however, for the C/SiC composite, the fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy, fatigue peak strain and the interface debonded length increase at the same cycle number.