Interlaminar shear fatigue of a two-dimensional carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide composite

Interlaminar shear fatigue properties of a two-dimensional carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide composite were investigated at room temperature (RT) and 900°C in air. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the survived specimens was determined to reveal the damage mechanisms. The composite presents excellent resistance to the fatigue at RT. The fatigue limits at 900°C are much lower than that at RT. Moreover, ILSS can be enhanced for the survived composite to some extent. The damage involves the matrix cracking and interfacial debonding. Such damage offers the channels for the oxidation of the pyrolytic carbon interface and carbon fibres, and leads to the decrease in the fatigue limits at 900°C.