Abstract: The mechanical behavior and damage process of a three-dimensional woven carbon/silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite under in-plane shear loading were investigated with IOSIPESCU specimens in relation with the failure mechanisms and the fiber architecture. The C/SiC composite exhibited several interesting features including an essentially non-linear stress-strain behavior and permanent deformations. The results show that the major damage mechanisms are matrix microcracks cracking, interface debonding and fiber breaking. The delamination cracks affect mainly the stress-strain behavior and the mechanical properties. A damage model is proposed based upon continuum damage mechanics to describe the damage evolution.

Key words: ceramic composites, 3D woven, damage model, critical strain