As ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) evolve, their lightweight and high-temperature resistance features drive optimal product efficiency across a wide range of sectors. Reliable high-temperature testing is important for verifying the quality and performance of products made with these sophisticated materials.
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CMCs are made up of two major components: a reinforcing material for strength and stiffness and a matrix material to hold the composite together. CMCs have both ceramic reinforcement and matrix. This unusual composition gives CMCs excellent fracture toughness and damage tolerance, making them perfect for important structural elements exposed to harsh environments, such as rocket and aviation engines.
The development of ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) has expanded the temperature range, allowing these materials to replace heavier superalloys in high-temperature applications.
High-temperature testing is paramount because it evaluates the thermomechanical properties of CMCs at elevated temperatures. These tests are crucial for research and development and for ensuring the quality of key components in the aerospace, automotive, and energy industries.
CMCs' mechanical load-bearing ability is routinely tested at temperatures up to 2,000 °C using a variety of techniques, including tensile, compression, flexure, creep-fatigue, and shear tests. These tests are often carried out in vacuum and inert gas settings to mimic real-world operating conditions.
This eBook introduces four important requirements that must be met to achieve accurate and dependable high-temperature testing, known as the "Four Cornerstones of High-Temperature Testing":
- Precise Temperature Measurement and Control: This is vital when it comes to controlling temperature with precision and minimal user influence, which is key to achieving reliable test results at high temperatures.
- Precise Strain Measurement and Control: Accuracy of strain measurements is essential for reliable high-temperature testing of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), regardless of the specimen's shape and size. Additionally, depending on material characteristics, precision in controlling the strain rate is also crucial.
- Secure Specimen Gripping and Accurate Alignment: When testing ceramic matrix composites at high temperatures, both stability and alignment play a crucial role in specimen gripping to ensure reliable and repeatable test results.
- Intelligent Testing Software: Easy test-setups, traceability and data storage are essential requirements for accredited laboratory management in the field of high-temperature testing. Key software features include high-temperature controller integration, accurate temperature data handling, and user-friendly interfaces that reduce setup time and human intervention.
As CMC materials improve, testing equipment and methods must adapt to meet new industry requirements and goals. This eBook examines the developments and advancements in high-temperature CMC testing, highlighting the relevance of the Four Cornerstones in getting trustworthy and accurate findings.
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Download the full eBook now to learn more about materials testing at high and ultra-high temperatures that can help you in your pursuit of material innovation and ultimate efficiency.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG.
For more information on this source, please visit ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG.