Specimen size effect on the tensile and shear properties of the high-crystalline and high-dense SiC/SiC composites

Studies of specimen size effects on mechanical behavior have been considered one of the most important issues for the optimization of conventional test methodologies and for the development of new test technique. In this study, specimen width effect on tensile properties of PIP- and pilot grade NITE-SiC/SiC composites was evaluated from the viewpoints of composite constituent and composite crystallinity. For both composites, tensile properties were apparently independent of specimen gauge width. They were significantly related to the fracture patterns, which were closely dependent on the pores and defects in the matrix and fabric architecture.