Response of SiC/Ti under Combined Loading Part II: Room Temperature Creep Effects

Results from cyclic multiaxial tests on [±45], silicon carbide/titanium (SiC/Ti) tubular specimens at room temperature are presented. One test cycle consisted of applying axial stress at a constant rate, holding the axial stress constant at a predetermined level for a fixed period of time, applying shear stress at a constant rate, holding the shear stress constant at a predetermined level for a fixed period of time, unloading the shear stress, and finally, unloading the axial stress. Test results show that relatively large axial time dependent, and to a lesser extent, time independent strains are accumulated after the axial stress is held constant. The time dependent accumulated axial strains are termed creep, while the time independent strains are due to coupling between shear and axial strain. The results of short duration creep tests conducted on a bulk titanium alloy (Ti-15-3) are also presented and are consistent with the results from the multiaxial tests on SiC/Ti.