Fiber arrangements on densification behavior of titanium metal matrix composites

Abstract

Vacuum hot pressing (VHP) has been used for the development of Ti-MMCs using foil-fiber-foil method, and in particular the effect of fiber arrangements on densification behavior has been investigated by means of the process modeling. A micro-mechanical approach is then presented for consolidation. The explicit representation of fiber arrangements is modeled within the finite element analysis framework. Experimental invesitgation of the densification behavior using VHP, together with thermo AE analysis has been performed, and the results obtained are compared with the model predictions. The AE detection covers not only the stress-induced failures but the evolutions of void as well. Knowledge of both fiber arrangements and applied conditions are vital in the design and optimization of densification process, and methods for the predictions are therefore essential for the development of Ti-MMCs.